Instagram is honing in on the university crowd by offering a new feature allowing students to join special communities or networks, based on school affiliation.

Getting communal

The new feature coming to Instagram is focusing on fostering communities amongst current students, while alumni can stick to LinkedIn and Facebook for their continued connections.

The Instagram feature is drawing strong contrast in comparison to the new Tinder U app released at the beginning of the school year, merely requiring a valid .edu email address.

Know your school

Instagram says it just wants make it easier for students to meet. The test feature is only in the preliminary stages and are subject to change. However it could help Instagram woo back some millennials from Snapchat.

The feature is currently opt-in only and works in a way reminiscent to Instagram Direct, with unfamiliar followers being lumped into a pending inbox even if they are apart of your school network.

For building stronger communities, the college experience is an excellent place to start. With youthful demographics and built-in mixers, Instagram may have the perfect environment to garner a social ,mm edge.

What do you think about school-centric networking apps? Do you think this could foster stronger communities? Let us know what you think in the comments below.