Instagram, the mobile phone app that allows individuals to post filtered photos to the web, announced on Monday that they are expanding their reach and bringing Instagram profiles to the web. These web profiles are in the process of being rolled out, with some Instagram users finding that their profiles are ready for use while others continue to wait.

The social channel was initially created to improve the quality of mobile phone photos, which often came out “looking mediocre.” The app was exclusive to mobile phone users who were able to post their Instagram photos to Twitter and Facebook. The ability to share better-quality photos on multiple social media channels was a popular notion that many people jumped at the chance to use. Since the app targeted mobile phone users, there was very little point in having web profiles for Instagram users.

Some recent events for Instagram may have resulted in this decision to move more toward online profile management:

• Customer demand. Instagram users wanted to have the ability to control their profiles from a computer instead of their mobile devices.

• Facebook influence. According to Mashable, one of the most interesting things about the online profiles is their similarity to Facebook’s Timeline. A profile picture and a cover photo appear at the top of the screen, and the rest of one’s uploaded photos appear underneath. This is unsurprising, considering Facebook acquired Instagram this past September. Facebook also recently came out with their own photo filtering system, which seems to indicate that the influence goes both ways.

• Instagram’s recent milestone. As Hurricane Sandy ravaged the east coast last week, Instagram’s photo upload record was broken as thousands of people took photos documenting the event.

With these events and changes happening at Instagram, I am interested to see where the company goes from here.

About Dream Local Digital:

Dream Local Digital, LTD: is a digital marketing agency serving small-medium sized business and non-profit clients nationwide providing social media and online marketing services founded by Shannon Kinney. Since their inception in 2009, the goal has been to help these businesses succeed in their online and Social Media marketing efforts and help save them time while they run their business. The company has been recognized by the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce with their Innovation in Business Award, and has offices in Rockland and Bangor Maine, and nationwide through partnerships with media companies, entrepreneurs, and advertising agencies. For more information on Dream Local Digital, visit our website,Facebook, and blog. If you are interested in having Shannon speak to your group, emaildream@dreamlocal.com