Instagram set to roll out ads as users top 150m

Instagram hinted that it could introduce adverts wthin the next 12 months. Picture: AFP

The photo sharing app, which today announced that 150 million people were using the service, which allows users to edit photos using a variety of filters before uploading them to the app, told the Wall Street Journal that the firm would likely be ready to begin selling ad-space ‘within the next year’.

Emily White, Instagram’s Director of Business Operations told the WSJ that there was no ‘short term pressure’ but that the firm wanted to make money ‘in the long term’.

Reports suggest that the company met with representatives from Ford and Coca-Cola in the last week.

A standalone blog entry focusing on the increase in users was also posted this morning.

The firm said: “Today we’re excited to announce that Instagram has grown to a community of more than 150 million people capturing and sharing moments every month.

“Whether it’s documenting protests in Egypt, sharing the trip of a lifetime across the United States or snapping #petselfiez, this community continues to surprise us every day with your creativity, sense of adventure and unique perspectives on the world.

“To the 50 million of you who’ve joined in the last six months, welcome. And from our team to all 150 million of you, thank you for making Instagram great. We can’t wait to see what you’ll create next.”

Last year, Instagram faced opposition over claims that it would sell off user images to third parties, which it later denied.