Get ready to have your breath taken away as we delve into the world of Instagram —the platform where we can share our lives, our food, and our cats with the world. But did you know that there are some highly guarded secrets that the creators of Instagram don't want you to know? Well, buckle up because we're about to reveal all.

Did you know that Instagram actually started out as a platform for sharing photos of your breakfast? 

That's right. The creators never intended for it to become the powerhouse of influencer marketing and vanity that it is today. But never mind, you can still share your pancakes with the world, just make sure to get verified Instagram friends from mixx.com first; except of course, you've already a satisfactory number of followers.

Did you know that Instagram has a secret algorithm that controls what you see on your feed? 

This algorithm takes into account habits and actions like how often you interact with a person's posts and how long you spend looking at them. So, if you're wondering why your ex's posts keep popping up, it's probably because you're still stalking them. Oops!

Did you know that Instagram has a secret feature called "shadowban"? 

This feature is used to penalise users who use certain hashtags or engage in certain behaviours that is deemed spammy by Instagram. If you suddenly notice a drop in engagement on your posts, you might have been shadowbanned. Don't worry though, you can always appeal the decision. Ask me how in the comment section.

Did you know that Instagram has a secret folder for all the messages you've been sent? 

This folder is called the "message requests" folder and it's where all the messages from strangers go. If you're wondering why you're not getting as many DMs as you used to, it might be because they're all in the message requests folder.

Did you know that Instagram has a secret feature called "Instagram Live"? 

This feature allows you to broadcast live video to all your followers. If you're feeling brave, why not give it a try? Who knows, you might become the next big thing on Instagram.

Did you know that Instagram has a secret feature called "IGTV"? 

Few users are aware of this feature that allows you to upload videos up to an hour long. If you're feeling extra creative, go ahead and upload one. A video-hour long won't be a bad time to keep your fans and followers entertained. Just be quality conscious.

Did you know that Instagram has a secret feature called "Reels"? 

This feature allows you to create short, 15-second videos with music and affects similarly to TikTok. 

Did you know that Instagram has a secret feature called "Stories"? 

This feature allows you to share photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. Most week-olds on Instagram –and don't be surprised to find some 5 year-olds in this category– are unaware of this Snapchat-like feature of Instagram. Do yourself some pleasure sharing your daily life with "Stories".

In conclusion, Instagram may seem like just a simple photo-sharing app, but it's actually a complex world of algorithms, features and secrets. The next time you're scrolling through your feed, remember that there's a lot more going on behind the scenes.