Instagram now has 600 million users, with the last 100 million joining in the past six months.

In a blog, the firm said users “have more ways to share than ever before” following the recent introduction of features including Instagram Stories, live video and disappearing photos and videos.

These new features have closed the gap with rival Snapchat, which has 150 million monthly active users. The move appears to be paying off for Instagram, with more than 100 million people using Instagram Stories every day

“With updated safety tools that give you more control over comments and other parts of your experience, we’re working to make Instagram safer than ever for connection and self-expression,” the post added.