How did the first post contribute to Instagram's early branding?

The first Instagram post, a picture of a stray dog taken by co-founder Kevin Systrom, played a significant role in shaping the early branding of Instagram. The post demonstrated the app's core functionality and value proposition, which was to make it easy for people to capture, edit, and share photos.

The post also showcased the app's simple and user-friendly interface, which allowed users to quickly apply filters and effects to their photos. This helped to establish Instagram's reputation as a platform for high-quality, visually appealing content.

Additionally, the fact that the first post was a picture of a stray dog helped to humanize the brand and make it more relatable to users. It helped to establish Instagram as a platform that was accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or interests.

Overall, the first Instagram post helped to set the tone for the platform's early branding and establish its reputation as a place for sharing high-quality, visually appealing photos. It helped to position Instagram as a platform that was both accessible and aspirational, and this has been a key part of its success.