Instagram just announced the release of a new feature: Instagram Stories. You’d think if Instagram was going to steal the name “stories” from Snapchat, then maybe they wouldn’t copy the feature and way it works too, right? Wrong.

Instagram stories work exactly the same as Snapchat’s. You take and upload multiple pictures and videos which are put into a slideshow timeline.

Instagram is selling it by saying:

With Instagram Stories, you don’t have to worry about overposting. Instead, you can share as much as you want throughout the day — with as much creativity as you want.

Just like Snapchat, it will automatically delete after 24 hours. The stories will appear in a new bar on the top as soon as you open Instagram.

To view someone’s story, just tap on their profile photo. To view stories, tap to go back and forward or swipe to jump to another person’s story. If you want to comment on something you see, you can tap and send a private message to that person on Instagram Direct.

Unlike regular posts, there are no likes or public comments.

You can hide your entire story from anyone you don’t want to see it, even if they follow you. If you want to check out who has seen each photo and video, swipe up while watching your own story. You can even choose to feature a particular part of your story by posting it on your profile.

In an interview with Techcrunch, Instagram CEO, Kevin Systrom, said Snapchat deserves the credit for Instagram Stories:

When you are an innovator, that’s awesome. Just like Instagram deserves all the credit for bringing filters to the forefront. This isn’t about who invented something. This is about a format, and how you take it to a network and put your own spin on it.

Will be interesting to see how Instagram continues to change it’s platform, even though much of the feedback towards their recent changes have been negative. Not everyone is over the change in how Instagram displays uploads as it’s no longer in chronological order.