Instagram & Marketing

I've only used Instagram to make photos "prettier" that I want to text to friends or upload to facebook.  These businesses below have found a way to use Instagram to benefit their business and market themselves to those whose interests are similar to their product or service lines. 

3 particular topics are discussed including how to build your brand and be recognized in the world of Instagrammers.  Advertising "expertise" and productions or developments via Instagram makes businesses more marketable and credible in their efforts. The final topic of hashtags is explained as the purpose of the business wanting viewers or followers to be able to search for their products by typing in "key words" of interest that match up to photos posted by their company.

http://www.nfib.com/business-resources/business-resources-item?cmsid=60237

My next question would then be how many within the social network actually use Instagram for marketing purposes or simply to post pictures or as myself to make pictures prettier for re-posting?  Another interesting article highlighting the 80M subscribers and their activity.....

http://www.marketingvox.com/instagram-claims-80m-users-is-it-useful-to-brands-051346/

                                    My Instagram skills at work!  4th of July weekend 2012