Brandtree

Who owns Instagram?

Instagram is owned by Meta (the United States, NASDAQ: META), which acquired the brand on 6 September 2012.[1][2] Instagram was founded in 2010 in San Francisco, California and was independent until 2012.

Key facts

Current owner
Meta Platforms, Inc. verified
Owned since
· deal details
Acquisition price
$1 billion
Previous owner
Independent (2010–2012)
Owner HQ
🇺🇸 United States, Menlo Park, California
Origin
🇺🇸 United States, San Francisco, California
Founded
2010
Category
Internet & digitalSearch & socialSocial networks
Parent ticker
NASDAQ: META
Last verified
· 2 sources

About Instagram

Instagram had thirteen employees and no revenue when Facebook bought it in 2012 for about $1 billion, a price then considered extraordinary. It is now a substantial share of the group's advertising income, and the purchase was central to the antitrust case brought against the company.

Ownership timeline of Instagram

Owners of Instagram from 2012 to 2026 Meta 2012–present Meta 2012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027
  1. 2012 – present Meta acquired 6 September 2012 [1][2] verified

Where Instagram sits in Meta

Controlling ownership as of . Brands grouped under the entity that owns them; large groups are collapsed.

Where Instagram sits in Meta Tree of 6 brands under Meta. Meta Instagram Facebook Messenger Meta Quest Threads WhatsApp

Open the full Meta ownership tree →

Other brands owned by Meta in internet & digital

See the full Meta brand portfolio (6) →

Deals involving Instagram

Acquisition closed

Meta acquires Instagram

Facebook acquired Instagram, then a thirteen-person company with no revenue, for about $1 billion in cash and stock. The final consideration fell as Facebook shares declined between announcement and closing.

Value
$1bn
Buyer
Meta
Seller
Regulatory
None recorded

Latest news about Instagram

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Frequently asked questions

Who is the parent company of Instagram?

The parent company of Instagram is Meta, a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States.

Is Instagram American?

Yes. Instagram originated in the United States in 2010 and its owner, Meta, is also headquartered in the United States.

When did Meta buy Instagram?

Meta completed its acquisition of Instagram on 6 September 2012, after announcing the deal on 9 April 2012.

Who owned Instagram before Meta?

Instagram was an independent company from its founding in 2010 in San Francisco, California until Meta acquired it in 2012.

Is Instagram still owned by Meta?

Yes. As of 6 September 2026, Instagram is still owned by Meta. The ownership record was last checked against primary sources on that date.

Sources (2) & corrections

Last verified . Every ownership fact above is backed by one of these primary documents. Numbers in brackets in the text refer to this list.

  1. [1] Meta Platforms, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K filed 2026-01-29 — SEC EDGAR, SEC Form 10-K, published 29 January 2026; retrieved 6 September 2026.
  2. [2] Facebook, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal year 2012 — business combinations — SEC EDGAR, SEC Form 10-K, published 1 February 2013; retrieved 6 September 2026.

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