Facebook-owned Instagram has begun showing notifications in a new drop-down box on its website. The box shows likes, people who’ve followed you, and friends who have recently started Instagram accounts.

The update is available now for everyone, an Instagram spokesperson told VentureBeat in an email. (Hat tip to Rob Poitras for pointing out the update.)

The change is interesting, because Instagram keeps its photo-editing and sharing features restricted to its mobile app.

To be sure, the web service remains a second-class citizen, but the update definitely enhances Instagram’s presence on the Web. It could drive greater usage on desktop and hint at more desktop Instagram improvements to come.

Facebook-owned WhatsApp arrived on the Web last year, and last year Facebook also launched a dedicated website for desktop usage: messenger.com.