Instagram launches long-awaited web service

The move aims to spread its online influence, while maintaining its strength as one of the most popular mobile apps available.

Users will find that the web feed is very similar to the one they can scroll through on their smartphone, giving them the option to comment on or 'like' photos.

However, the hashtags that people use on their photos will not work on desktops, as they appears just as normal text. It means they cannot click the tags to follow them through to other similar images.

Users will also still not be able to upload via their desktop either.

"We do not offer the ability to upload from the web as Instagram is about producing photos on the go, in the real world, in realtime," said co-founder Kevin Systrom on the company's blog.

"On the other hand, Instagram for the web is focused on making the browsing experience a fast, simple and enjoyable one."