Facebook turns attention to mobile after purchase of Instagram

Social media giant Facebook has stumped up approximately $1 billion (£630 million) in order to acquire photo-sharing app Instagram.

By absorbing the app - which allows users to share photos which have been put through filters and various other states - Facebook now has much more room to manoeuvre when it comes to mobile marketing, especially as Instagram's audience should "facilitate Facebook's mobile monetisation goals", Search Engine Watch revealed.

Instagram, which amassed around 27 million users before the release of the Android version on April 3rd, will also give Facebook a stronger hold on young demographics.

Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO, announced the purchase on his Facebook page: "For years, we've focused on building the best experience for sharing photos with your friends and family.

"Now, we'll be able to work even more closely with the Instagram team to also offer the best experiences for sharing beautiful mobile photos with people based on your interests."

However those who believe Facebook will terminate Instagram's links with other social networks - such as Twitter - couldn't be further from the truth.

Zuckerberg added: "We plan on keeping features like the ability to post to other social networks, the ability to not share your Instagrams on Facebook if you want, and the ability to have followers and follow people separately from your friends on Facebook."