Instagram's 2 New Features Might Make You Forget All About Snapchat

Updated on 12/12/2016 at 1:35 PM

Are you someone who goes back and forth between using Snapchat and Instagram? Well, Instagram's two new features, live video and disappearing photos and videos in direct messages, might finally make you stop switching between the two.

Instagram's live video combines features from Facebook Live and Twitter's Periscope. To go live, all you need to do is swipe right and tap "Start Live Video." Unlike Facebook and Periscope, however, the live video exists only in the moment — it disappears once you're done filming. If you're someone watching the live video, you can tap and leave hearts (similar to Periscope) or leave a comment. Swipe right on a live video to see more, or go to the search page to discover who's live right now.

For those of us who love Snapchat's ephemeral photos and videos, Instagram is now integrating something similar into the app. Starting today, you can send temporary photos and videos to your friends as a direct message. When you look at your direct messages, you'll see what messages have these short-lived photos and videos at the top.

Read ahead to see what these two new features look like and start playing around with them. It might be enough to make you forget about Snapchat's spectacles.

It's easy to start a live video — just swipe right in the app.

Your friends can send hearts or leave comments on the live video.

At the top of your feed, you'll see who's live.

You'll also see who's live at the top of the search page.

Send a short-lived photo or video to your friends via direct message.

You can draw on the photo and add text.

Send the message to people you talk to the most.

Or add it to your story!

Instagram will come up with ideas of who to send your stories to.

But you get the final say of who sees your photo or video.

At the top of your inbox, you'll see who's sent you a photo or video.

The messages with blue rings contain disappearing photos or videos. Once your friend sees the message, it'll disappear. Like Snapchat, you'll find out if your friend replayed the photo or took a screenshot. In a group message, you can see exactly who's looked at it. This feature rolls out today!