Instagram co-founders resign following tensions with Mark Zuckerberg

Both Systrom and Krieger said that they were “grateful for the last eight years at Instagram and six years with the Facebook team” but are ultimately ready for the “next chapter.” The co-founders didn’t reveal any specifics about their future plans other than the fact that they intend on taking some time off to explore their “curiosity and creativity again.”

Reportedly, the decision to leave Facebook comes after tensions between the co-founders and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Allegedly, there were some strong disagreements regarding the future direction of Instagram. Moreover, it’s claimed that Zuckerberg became significantly more involved in day-to-day operations due to the Facebook’s dependence on the social media platform for growth. Recently, Instagram moved away from its photo-sharing core with the introduction of IGTV. In addition to this, a separate IG Shopping app is reportedly in the works too. 

Without both co-founders at the helm, it’s safe to assume that Instagram will now begin to reflect Mark Zuckerberg's vision for the platform much more closely. If this is indeed the case, an increased focus on revenue is to be expected.

source: Instagram via Bloomberg