The ‘Stories’ features on Instagram and Snapchat have proven popular among users for their impermanence, authenticity, and behind-the-scenes nature. But how exactly are they being used by brands, celebrities and regular people? And how are these temporary digital tales evolving?

When Instagram announced its new algorithm that would prioritise popular content in feeds, over 340,000 people signed a petition against it. Now, influencers are forming private ‘pods’ to support each other’s posts in defence against the change. But why is there such concern over online snaps?

According to two of Instagram’s employees, users of the image-based social network are tiring of picture-perfect posts. Instead of the highly curated feeds that have become the norm, people are increasingly drawn to imperfection – which is one of the drivers behind the success of Instagram Stories.

Breast augmentation may have been the most requested procedure in the US in 2016, in the Middle East, nose jobs for men are increasingly popular. Feeling pressurised to conform to Instagram-dictated Eurocentric beauty standards, more men are going under the knife.