The days of the single instagram app may be numbered. Instagram is currently testing a standalone private messaging app it’s calling Direct.It’s not hard to see what plans Instagram has for this new standalone product; towing the path that birthed Facebook Messenger. It’s also not hard to see that eventually, Instagram is going to remove the direct messaging feature from the core Instagram app. The app is currently being tested in six countries, Chile, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, and Uruguay (does Nigeria ever test these things). It’s also available on Android and iOS. What’s Instagram’s plan?First, some context. When Instagram was first created, it was built as an app to help people share moments with the public. But the world has changed since then. And now, Instagram believes the messaging feature, which has become a means to share everything privately, deserves a shot at going solo.
