Instagram Restores Twitter Card Previews

Beginning today, Instagram is re-enabling support for Twitter Card previews. This means that when an Instagram link is shared on Twitter, a visual preview of the post will now be displayed directly within the tweet.

Previously, sharing an Instagram link on Twitter would only result in the URL being shown. This change addresses a long-standing inconvenience for users who frequently cross-post content.

A History of Twitter Card Support

Instagram initially removed Twitter Card support in 2012. Kevin Systrom, Instagram’s co-founder, explained the decision was driven by a desire to maintain control over Instagram’s content and encourage viewing within the Instagram application itself.

This removal sparked criticism from users who found it more challenging to share Instagram posts effectively on Twitter. Some individuals resorted to utilizing third-party services to circumvent this limitation.

Twitter Acknowledges the Update

Twitter has publicly recognized the restoration of this functionality. In a recent tweet, they stated that users can now share Instagram posts on Twitter with a preview card displaying the photo.

Availability and Impact

The update is currently being deployed to all users across Android, iOS, and web platforms.

While seemingly minor, this enhancement significantly improves the user experience for those who share content between Instagram and Twitter, making cross-platform posting simpler and more accessible.

This change streamlines the process of sharing visual content, offering a more integrated experience for users of both social media platforms.