- Though Facebook's (NASDAQ:FB) core site and apps largely remain blocked in China, Instagram has been growing rapidly in the Middle Kingdom. The photo-sharing platform's iOS app is now ranked #66 in the Chinese App Store, and a number of Chinese celebrities have 100K+ followers for their Instagram accounts (largely from within China).
- The widespread use of Instagram with the Weibo (NASDAQ:WB) microblogging platform (129M MAUs) has fueled much of the growth. Instagram has added a Weibo sharing option for its apps, and its pictures are often used by Weibo posters to cover major events.
- Bloomberg reported in May Facebook is taking steps to open a Chinese ad sales office, but there aren't any signs its core services will soon be given a green light. WhatsApp isn't blocked, but it faces an uphill battle wresting Chinese share from Tencent's WeChat.