Observed Signal · Jan 23, 2025 · Technical Release · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Instagram Enables HD Photo Sending
Instagram now enables sending HD photos through Direct Messages, mirroring WhatsApp’s HD-sharing capability. The feature requires the photo to already exist in HD and notes that sending higher-resolution images may take longer and use more storage. It is touted as beneficial for creators, brands, and private users, while warning about potential performance and storage impacts. The update aligns with Instagram’s broader focus on creativity and connection, including discussions that shares may be a stronger ranking factor than likes. The article also references a shift toward a 3:4 grid in the main grid layout. Observers Jonah Manzano and Saadh Jawwadh are noted as having identified the option. Overall, the HD sending feature is presented as a practical enhancement for visual storytelling and engagement on the platform.
Major platform feature update on Meta-owned Instagram (HD photo sending) likely affecting creators, brands, and user experience; qualifies as a Technical Release from a major platform.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Instagram now allows sending HD photos via Direct Messages.
- The photo must already be in HD quality to be sent in HD.
- HD sending may require more time and storage for uploads.
- Feature observed by app researchers Jonah Manzano and Saadh Jawwadh.
- Instagram discusses a 3:4 grid format replacing the square grid.
Connected Companies & Entities
1 Entity mappedOntology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Google launches unified agentic AI for Gemini
At a Google Cloud event on Thursday, Google announced it is bringing agentic AI to its Gemini assistant, launching a unified agent that can autonomously plan and execute tasks on behalf of users. Aimed initially at businesses, the agent can connect to internal systems and external tools, use custom skills, and even choose from third-party models like Anthropic's Claude. It will have its own Workspace account with an email address, and will write its own audit trail. Early testers include On, Shopify, and PayPal. Gemini has over 1 billion monthly active users, and nearly 90% of Fortune 100 companies use Gemini Enterprise.
AWNY, Jupiter Fest Spotlight Agentic Ads and Open Web
Advertising Week New York and the inaugural Jupiter Festival Miami highlighted the industry's shift toward agentic advertising and anxieties about the open web's future. Major announcements included TikTok's off-platform ad expansion and a new AI shopping agent, Meta's AI campaign assistant testing, and OpenAI's visual ads introduction. Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery closed, forming Skydance. Key themes were the threat of AI to publisher traffic, the rise of AI visibility tools, the early stage of agentic media buying, unsolved cross-platform measurement, and the booming sports and retail media sectors. Deals included PubX's acquisition of Compliant and a $5 million Series A, and OpenAI's reported $30 billion round talks with BlackRock and UAE investors.
ICANN Receives 1,615 New Top-Level Domain Applications
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has accepted applications for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) for the first time since 2012. A total of 1,615 applications were submitted by 481 applicants, with a strong focus on AI-related domains. Ten companies, including Meta and OpenAI, applied for .agent, seven for .agi, and six for .asi. Meta filed 21 applications, including .instagram and .threads, while OpenAI filed 15, including .chatgpt and .codex. German entities like Adidas, Biontech, and Allianz also applied for brand-specific domains. The application fee can be up to $227,000 per domain. The article also highlights the financial success of country-code TLDs like .ai, which earned Anguilla about €59 million by November 2025.
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