Instagram Web Interface Gets a New Search Bar

Instagram, after bringing a major overhaul to its Web interface last month, has now added a search bar on the website, bringing it closer to its mobile counterpart.

On logging into their Instagram accounts on the Web, users will notice a simple search bar placed on top of the page, from where they can search for hashtags, profiles and images or videos based on location, just like in the mobile version. Instagram gives with dropdown of suggestions related to the search text that users enter.

The Facebook-owned photo sharing service focussing on Web interface might be puzzling for some as the company began as a mobile-first (indeed, app-first) platform for sharing images and videos. "While Instagram.com is designed to be complementary to the mobile apps, it's important to the global conversations that happen on Instagram," an Instagram spokesperson told TechCrunch.

The new search bar now also fits perfectly with changes made by the photo-sharing service to its Web interface. Instagram last month started rolling out redesigned profiles, feeds, and hashtag pages for its Web interface. The redesign primarily brought changes to the profile page of an Instagram user and showcased bigger images than before.

The firm also started allowing Android and iOS users to upload images in full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) resolution, but the feature is not expected on the Web interface any time soon.