Instagram has launched a donation feature within its app that allows users to promote a charity while encouraging followers to donate.
The feature, when used, allows the user to select a charity, and upload it onto the Story feature for fellow users to donate through.
The Story will remain for 24 hours, similar to other stories.
When launched, creators showcased the feature, with West End actress Carrie Hope Fletcher raising £5500 for Papyrus UK within the time period. Lucy Moon, Thomas “TomSka” Ridgewell and Jack Howard also used the tool to raise funds for Battersea Dogs Home.
It follows news of Instagram hiding likes in an attempt to focus more on content. Mia Garlick, director of policy for Facebook Australia and New Zealand said in a statement, “we want Instagram to be a place where people feel comfortable expressing themselves,"
“We hope this test will remove the pressure of how many likes a post will receive, so you can focus on sharing the things you love.”
In addition to this, Instagram is challenging abusive comments on their platform prior to uploading.
These features demonstrate Instagram’s current design to become more positively socially engineered - allowing a positive encouragement on mental health, and impacting local, and national charities.
Well, gang! In just 24 hours, the final amount came to a whopping £5,501 ! Hey @PAPYRUS_tweets , could you let me and my lovely lot know exactly what that money is going to do and just how much it’s going to help?! pic.twitter.com/sHROaDktHs
— Carrie Hope Fletcher (@CarrieHFletcher) July 31, 2019