# Instagram launch

> Instagram reported one million registered users within months of its iPhone launch.

- Owner: Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger / Instagram
- Kind: App & software
- Sector: Technology
- Seed date: 2010-10-06
- Milestone date: 2012-04-09
- Date basis: Documented milestone; not a measured attention peak.
- Spread Score: 60 (Viral, provisional), v1.3
- Mechanics: Shareable output, Maker origin, Platform jump, Press loop, Controversy

## Summary

Instagram launched on iPhone, and users shared its photos through Twitter and other networks. Photo walks and postcard apps extended the activity. Facebook announced a purchase in April 2012; disputes over advertising terms followed that December.

## Timeline

- Jul 2010 — Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger (Open web) — The founders narrowed Burbn to photo sharing and built an iPhone prototype for private testers.
- 2010-09-20 — TechCrunch (Press) — TechCrunch previewed Instagram before its public release.
- 2010-10-06 — Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger (App stores) — The founders released the iPhone app; Krieger later reported 25,000 sign-ups on its first day.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/developers).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/instagram-launch

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “Instagram launch.” Case HIS-01485. Spread Score v1.3: 60/100. Updated 2026-10-23. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-01485