Instagram crosses 700 million users mark

Facebook-owned Instagram has added 100 million new users in under five months, to cross the 700 million-user milestone.

Growth was driven by a number of factors, including the ability to better connect people with their friends, and easier sign up, Instagram said in a statement. The photo and video sharing app does not provide details of number of users in different countries.

The company, which was founded in October, 2010 took over two years to cross the 100-million user mark. However, it has been able to steadily increase its user base and hit the 600- million milestone in December last year.

Instagram has doubled in size in just two years.

"With new features like stories, live video and disappearing messages in Direct, people now have more ways than ever to express themselves and feel closer to what matters to them," a post on the company's blog said. Instagram, however, did not provide details about the numbers on daily active users.

Many of the recent features introduced on the platform, including 'Stories', pits it against rivals like Snapchat. Stories allows users to post photos and videos that disappear within 24 hours