What were Instagram's core values in its early stages?

In its early stages, Instagram's core values were centered around simplicity, creativity, and community. Here are some of the specific core values that Instagram emphasized during its early years:

1. Simplicity - Instagram's founders, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, wanted to create a simple and easy-to-use app that focused on taking and sharing photos. They intentionally designed the app to be minimalistic and user-friendly, with a focus on the photos themselves rather than on extraneous features or distractions.
2. Creativity - Instagram was designed to be a platform for creativity and self-expression. From the beginning, the app encouraged users to experiment with filters, borders, and other tools to make their photos look more interesting and engaging. Instagram also emphasized the importance of visual storytelling, encouraging users to share photos that captured moments and emotions in a creative and compelling way.
3. Community - Instagram was built around the idea of community and connection. The app made it easy for users to discover and follow other users with similar interests, and it encouraged users to engage with each other through likes, comments, and direct messages. Instagram also emphasized the importance of authenticity and transparency, encouraging users to be themselves and share their true experiences and perspectives.
4. Inspiration - Instagram was designed to be a source of inspiration and motivation for its users. The app featured a "Popular" page that showcased the most liked and engaging photos from around the world, and it encouraged users to explore new and interesting accounts to discover new sources of inspiration.

These core values helped Instagram to quickly gain popularity and establish itself as a leader in the world of social media. By focusing on simplicity, creativity, community, and inspiration, Instagram was able to create a unique and engaging platform that resonated with users around the world.