No Filter

by Sarah Frier
No Filter cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Technology and Innovation
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Waterstones
Paperback • £11.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 2672
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9781473567757
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2020-04-16
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

No Filter offers an in-depth look at the rise of Instagram, from its inception in a Silicon Valley coffee shop to its unprecedented acquisition by Facebook. Through interviews with key figures, the book vividly recreates the journey of the most successful photo app in history, exploring its cultural impact and how it has reshaped business, technology, and popular culture. The book also delves into the dramatic clashes between Instagram's founders and Mark Zuckerberg, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the power struggles within the tech world. /n/n Beyond the tech drama, No Filter examines how Instagram has influenced society, encouraging businesses to prioritize aesthetics and creating a new economy of digital entrepreneurs. It also explores how the platform has changed perceptions of celebrity and success, making it a definitive story of how a simple app revolutionized the way we communicate and present ourselves online.

Reviews
Eustea Reads · Eustacia Tan · 2021-04-19
engaging 4.50

The book is described as a compelling business memoir that charts Instagram's journey and its complex relationship with users.

Eustacia Tan from Eustea Reads finds 'No Filter' to be a captivating business memoir that chronicles the rise of Instagram. The reviewer appreciates the book's exploration of the app's impact on users and its strategic decisions. Tan highlights the book's ability to balance detailed business insights with an engaging narrative, making it a must-read for those interested in the intersection of technology and culture. The reviewer also notes the book's relevance to understanding the broader implications of social media on society.

Quick quotes

    No Filter is a business memoir that charts the rise of Instagram and its complicated relationship with its users.

    The book provides a deep dive into the strategies and decisions that shaped Instagram into the cultural juggernaut it is today.

    Frier’s writing is engaging and informative, making complex business decisions accessible to a wider audience.

Royally Pink · 2020-05-05
captivating 4.75

The writing is captivating and well-researched, making the story of Instagram's rise both interesting and easy to understand.

The reviewer from Royally Pink praises Sarah Frier's writing as captivating and well-researched, making the story of Instagram's rise both interesting and accessible. The book is noted for its ability to present complex information in an engaging manner, with a passion that draws readers in. The reviewer finds the narrative to be compelling and the insights into Instagram's development to be particularly valuable. The book is recommended for its thorough exploration of the app's impact on culture and its users.

Quick quotes

    Sarah Frier's writing is captivating, well researched and so interesting.

    She writes in a way that makes the story easy to understand but with passion & insight.

    The book provides a thorough exploration of Instagram's impact on culture and its users.

The New York Times · Jennifer Szalai · 2020-04-14
informative 4.00

The book provides a detailed account of Instagram's rise and its impact on culture and economy. It also delves into the complexities of its acquisition by Facebook.

Jennifer Szalai from The New York Times highlights how Sarah Frier's 'No Filter' offers a comprehensive look at the meteoric rise of Instagram. The book is praised for its in-depth exploration of how Instagram reshaped modern culture and its economic impact. Szalai also notes the intricate details of the billion-dollar deal with Facebook, providing a nuanced view of the app's evolution and its challenges. The reviewer appreciates the thorough research and engaging narrative that makes the story accessible yet profound.

Quick quotes

    The book is a meticulous account of how Instagram became the cultural phenomenon it is today.

    Frier’s reporting is thorough, and her narrative is engaging, making the complex story of Instagram’s rise accessible to a broad audience.

    The book provides a nuanced view of the app’s evolution and the challenges it faced along the way.

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