What was the original idea behind Instagram?

The original idea behind Instagram, initially named "Burbn," was to create a location-based social networking app that combined elements of check-ins, photo sharing, and gamification. Here's a closer look at the original concept:

### **1. **Location-Based Check-Ins:**
   - **Concept**: Burbn was inspired by the location-based check-in services like Foursquare. It aimed to let users check in at different locations and share their experiences with friends.
   - **Features**: The initial app included features for checking in at places, earning points or badges for frequent visits, and interacting with friends' check-ins.

### **2. **Photo Sharing:**
   - **Photo Integration**: Alongside check-ins, Burbn also included a photo-sharing component, allowing users to take and share photos from their mobile devices.
   - **Filters and Enhancements**: Early on, the app had basic photo editing features, but this aspect was not as developed or central to the app's initial vision.

### **3. **Gamification:**
   - **Points and Rewards**: Burbn incorporated gamification elements such as earning points and rewards for activities like checking in and interacting with friends. This was intended to make the app more engaging and competitive.

### **4. **Pivot to Photo Sharing:**
   - **Realization**: As the team analyzed user behavior and feedback, they noticed that the photo-sharing feature was the most popular aspect of Burbn. Users were more engaged with taking and sharing photos than with check-ins or gamified elements.
   - **Decision to Pivot**: Based on this insight, Systrom and Krieger decided to pivot the app's focus solely to photo-sharing. They simplified the app's features and rebranded it as Instagram, emphasizing instant photo sharing and editing.

### **5. **Rebranding and Launch:**
   - **New Vision**: With the rebranding to Instagram, the app's new vision centered around providing an easy and enjoyable way for users to capture, enhance, and share photos instantly.
   - **Success**: The shift to focusing on photo-sharing, combined with unique features like filters, helped Instagram quickly gain traction and become a major player in the social media space.

The original idea for Burbn laid the groundwork for Instagram, but the pivot to a dedicated photo-sharing app allowed Instagram to capitalize on emerging trends and user preferences, leading to its rapid growth and success.