Social media platform Instagram went down (both it’s website and app) in multiple locations globally for several hours on Thursday causing mass panic amongst hipsters and millennials.
To be fair, Instagram rarely has issues, but seeing as the social photo sharing giant has over 800 million users it’s big news when it does experience problems.
So why is this significant in the world of eCommerce?
Why is it important to us that Instagram went down? You may be asking yourself that very question. Well seeing as thousands of eCommerce stores use Instagram influencers to show off their products everyday then it clearly has bigger implications for the retail world.
However more importantly than this, Instagram recently announced that it was allowing integration from eCommerce platforms, such as Shopify, which permit ‘shoppable‘ Instagram posts. Essentially what this means is merchants are now able to tag their products in photos and videos. Consumers can then add these products directly into their basket when they see them in posts. Pretty cool huh? Well not if it doesn’t work…
Anyway, the global reaction when Instagram went down nearly broke Twitter, with thousands of people using it to voice their frustration and check if they weren’t the only ones experiencing problems. Here’s a selection of some of the best tweets…
https://twitter.com/gdsxsade/status/994557287262978048
*opens @instagram*
*doesn't load*
*closes Instagram*
*opens Instagram again*
*doesn't load again*
*force closes Instagram*
*re-opens Instagram*
*still doesn't load*
*checks @Twitter to see if I'm the only one, sees #instagramdown*
Me after checking Twitter: pic.twitter.com/ey3gAOC7sF
— Love, Niki (@niki_vaghela) May 10, 2018
#instagramdown pic.twitter.com/Uw01Qcr5by
— Wiitjaksono (@High_Wii) May 10, 2018
I talked to my wife for a while…..she is really a nice person pic.twitter.com/go1khfjDNb
— The Invisible Man (@invisibleman_17) May 10, 2018
People are freaking out because #instagramdown — Now I cant post my amazing #selfie.. I guess Ill just post it here … #wdytk ?
Tag Roll
| #dragonlegion | #bb | #twitchkittens | #lurkforce | #girlstreamers | pic.twitter.com/QHnFuuKZbT— DRAGONSTAR (@_DragonStar_) May 10, 2018
#instagramdown Influencers no money for you today pic.twitter.com/FuFA1lMbXb
— exams. (@EhisIlozobhie) May 10, 2018
When Instagram goes down #instagramdown pic.twitter.com/cpAaufI6Do
— Daniel (@halfonzio) May 10, 2018
Me 20 minutes into instagram being down… #instagramdown pic.twitter.com/CQzreSK2Yw
— Emma Louise Delaney (@Emma_LouiseMSD) May 10, 2018
Breaking: Instagram down worldwide. Hipsters unable to eat. #Instagram #InstagramDown pic.twitter.com/4FzXes4GEY
— Michael Smyth (@MichaelSmyth_) May 10, 2018
Well there there you have it. This is what happens when trusted tech fails. When Instagram went down, not only was plenty of business undoubtedly lost during this time, but it also proves how crazy people get when things they’ve come to rely on simply don’t function.
If you have an online store and you want to make sure your website never lets you down make sure to check out Shoppimon…
If you enjoyed this article be sure to give it a like, or share it and if you saw any great tweets that we missed be sure to send us the link in the comments section below.
