Why Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram Are So Popular

The social media giants merged their technology with how we live and pursue our values.
Some doubt the legitimacy of these new social networks. They may think these apps are pointless and wonder why so many people are addicted to them.

An optimist might wonder why. What is it about these apps that captivate us? The viral success of popular social media platforms teaches us a lot. These success stories teach us about technology as well as human psychology.

Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram are all great examples of how to build a successful social media startup. Here are five major reasons why they have so far succeeded:

Focus on the long term

Facebook was founded in 2004. That’s 13 years! Their long-term thinking has allowed them to succeed (and will continue to do so). Instagram is a perfect example of this. Facebook is also investing in virtual reality and other promising future technologies.

By focusing on the long-term, these platforms avoid making short-term decisions. Making short-term decisions may boost the stock price today, but it will not keep them alive tomorrow. The future planning should pay off in 5-10 years.

They are obsessed with UX

Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram are meticulous about the user experience. Their applications are also optimized for the target user persona from initial download to daily usage.

Customization keeps users engaged on these platforms. They know exactly what will entice and retain users. For example, Facebook’s newsfeed is highly personalized and tailored to the user. The feed is customized to appeal to a specific user’s interests. Snapchat has made it simple for users to view multiple stories quickly.

These platforms want everyone to enjoy themselves. Because each person’s experience is unique, each user gets personalized content. Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat have all refined their button designs and placements. Intuitive, easy to learn, and every feature seems to be exactly where it should be

They are ego appealing

These companies’ profile functionality isn’t always the best. But people love the chance to show off online. They have complete control over what appears. They can portray themselves in any way to their fans. Studies show that getting Facebook or Instagram likes or Snapchat story views creates a dopamine release similar to taking certain drugs.

A virtual world where you can control the exact photos and perspectives of yourself is easier than living in reality and risking making mistakes. This freedom to express oneself and receive feedback from friends, followers, and likes can be addictive.

They facilitate communication between people

These platforms have always emphasized global communication. Text messaging existed before Facebook, but they were one of the first companies to enable cross-border communication. Snapchat took it a step further by introducing photo messaging.

We are naturally social creatures, so the ability to seamlessly converse and connect is priceless. Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat make it incredibly simple to do so.

You can do a lot in one spot

Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram have also thrived by curating entertainment. A profile is a collection of information about you that you can share with your friends.

Other niches are hoping to benefit from emerging social platforms like GAMEE (a mobile gaming social network). The GAMEE ecosystem allows users to not only play games against friends, but also discuss past tournaments. This platform will revolutionize gaming by combining all the fun of mobile apps in one place.

Users of Snapchat and Instagram can also engage in a variety of activities. Users can easily check the platform daily. With one app, consumers can get everything they need from text messaging to news and gaming. With today’s countless apps, the ability to do so much from one place is a huge driver of traffic and engagement.