How to Write Test Cases For Instagram?

As per the latest reports by Statista, Instagram currently has 2 billion active users, holding the fourth spot for the most used social media application. The footfall is only going to increase every year. But how does the company manage such a tremendous amount of visitors? Surely, neither the company nor the users want to experience even a second of downtime. Managing the existing load and functionality while preparing for future scalable possibilities comes with proper software testing and development. In the case of Instagram, you only need this guide to cover all the test cases of Instagram that ensure present and subsequent testing scenarios.

Read our blog on test cases for Facebook login if you are curious about another social media application.

But first….

Why Test Instagram?

To make sure that the app works how it is expected to work!

Honestly, the answer lies in multiple spots. Instagram requires thorough testing for personal and professional use as both individuals and organizations avail app features. UI/UX, functional, visual, and cross-platform testing are just some of the validating criteria. 

Furthermore, it is but one social media site among many, all of which can be integrated into each other. Testing needs to run for integration and security as well.

Types of Tests to Run for Instagram

As a rule of thumb, before you begin testing, have an idea of how many testing types you would need to run for the project. The below list will give you an idea about validating Instagram features. Formulate your test case techniques based on this if you want.

Functional Testing

• Feature Testing: Verify each feature on Instagram, including posting, commenting, liking, direct messaging, etc.
• Integration Testing: Ensure seamless integration of Instagram with third-party applications, APIs, or services.
• Compatibility Testing: Validate the app’s compatibility across different devices, operating systems, and browsers to ensure consistent performance.
• Security Testing: Assess the security measures of Instagram, including data protection, authentication, and authorization mechanisms.

Non-functional Testing

• Performance Testing: Measure Instagram’s performance metrics, such as load time, response time, and scalability, under various conditions.
• Usability Testing: Evaluate the user-friendliness of the app, including navigation, layout, and accessibility.
• Reliability Testing: Determine the reliability and stability of the app by testing for error handling, crash recovery, and uptime.
• Scalability Testing: Assess Instagram’s ability to handle increasing loads and user traffic without compromising performance or functionality.
• Security Testing: Probe social app’s resilience against security threats, vulnerabilities, and potential breaches, ensuring robust security measures are in place.

Other Testing Types:

• Regression Testing: Conduct regression tests to ensure new updates or modifications do not negatively impact existing functionalities.
• End-to-End Testing: Test Instagram from end to end to simulate real-world user scenarios and validate the overall user experience.

Test Cases For Instagram – Login, Signup, Chat, Profile, Stories, and Reels

What makes Instagram a popular photo and video-sharing app is the rich features it carries. User interactions are not limited to posting pictures and liking them. They can share the posts, comment on them, upload short videos (called reels), and do much more.

We start with the basic Instagram test cases in this section.

Login Test Cases

Test cases	Test case brief
Valid Credentials	Test logging in with valid/invalid username/email and password.
Remember Me Functionality	Test if the login input fields are pre-filled after selecting Remember Me.
Social Media Login	Verify logging in using social media credentials.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)	Check logging in with valid verification code.
Password Reset	Test resetting password and successful login with new credentials.
Error Handling	Check the system’s response to incorrect login attempts (e.g., displaying appropriate error messages).
Session Management	Test if the user session expires after a period of inactivity.

Signup Test Cases

Test cases	Test case brief
Valid Registration	Test successful registration with valid information.
Unique Username/Email	Verify that registration is possible only with a unique username/email.
Strong Password Requirement	Test registration with a password meeting strength criteria.
Email Verification	Test successful verification of email address.
Terms and Conditions Acceptance	Verify that registration is complete only after accepting terms and conditions.
Captcha Verification	Test the Captcha functionality to prevent automated registrations.
Error Handling	Test the system’s response to incomplete or invalid registration information.

Checkout our blog on test cases for registration page

Chat Functionality Test Cases

• Verify that users can compose and send messages to other users or groups seamlessly without errors.
• Ensure that users receive messages promptly upon being sent by others, confirming the real-time communication aspect.
• Check if users can apply formatting options such as bold, italic, and underline to their messages and verify their proper display on both sender and recipient ends.
• Confirm that users can send emoticons and stickers within messages.
• Validate the functionality to attach and send multimedia files (images, videos, audio) within chat messages.
• Verify that users can create group chats with multiple participants and that all participants receive notifications about the same.
• Ensure that users can add or invite participants to an existing group chat and that the receivers get notifications about being added.
• Verify that users receive timely notifications for new messages.
• Confirm the display of message delivery status indicators (e.g., sent, delivered, read) to provide users with information about the status of their messages.
• Validate the functionality to search for specific messages within a chat.
• Verify that users can block other users to prevent receiving messages from them.
• Ensure accurate timestamps are displayed for messages sent and received, providing users with context and timeline information.
• Confirm that chat history is preserved even after logging out and logging back in.

Profile Creation and Management Test Cases

• Ensure users can successfully create a new account by providing required information such as username, email, and password.
•  Verify users can enter and update profile information such as name, bio, profile picture, and any additional details.
• Confirm users can set privacy options for profile visibility according to their preferences.
• Validate customization options for profile appearance, ensuring users can personalize their profiles to reflect their personality or branding.
• Confirm users can manage their following and followers list effectively, including options to follow, unfollow, or block other users.
• Verify the visibility of the user’s profile to others based on privacy settings.
• Validate access to analytics or insights related to profile activity and engagement for a professional account.

Instagram Photo and Videos Upload Test Cases

• Verify that Instagram supports common file formats for photos (e.g., JPEG, PNG) and videos (e.g., MP4).
• Test the upload functionality with files of varying sizes to ensure compliance with Instagram’s maximum file size limits.
• Ensure that uploaded photos and videos maintain their original resolution and quality without significant degradation.
• Test uploading photos and videos with different aspect ratios to verify proper display without cropping or distortion.
• Test the ability to add captions, hashtags, and tags to uploaded photos and videos.
• Verify that users can add location tags, music, and people to their posts accurately.
• Test applying filters to uploaded photos and videos to enhance their appearance.
• Verify that failed uploads due to network issues or other reasons can be retried automatically or manually without losing the uploaded content.
• Test the preview and editing options available before finalizing the upload.

Instagram Stories Test Cases

• Verify users can create stories with images or videos.
• Confirm users can add text, stickers, and emojis to their stories.
• Ensure users can use drawing tools such as pens, brushes, and colors on their stories.
• Verify users can add links to external websites or other Instagram content.
• Confirm users can apply filters, effects, and augmented reality (AR) features to their stories.
• Test that multiple photos and videos can be added to the same story.
• Test if another account’s content can be shared as a story based on the privacy settings of both profiles.
• Validate if users can share their stories with their close friends list or specific followers.
• Confirm users can access metrics such as views and interactions for each story.
• Verify users can create story highlights from existing stories.
• Ensure users can interact with stories by replying, sending direct messages, or reacting with emojis.
• Confirm users can archive or save stories for future reference.
• Ensure privacy settings for stories are enforced correctly, providing users with control over who can view their stories (e.g., public, private, visible to specific followers).

Instagram Reels Test Cases

• Verify that reels adhere to Instagram’s specified duration limits (e.g., 15 or 30 seconds).
• Test the upload functionality with various video file formats to ensure compatibility with Instagram reels.
• Test the ability to select audio tracks from Instagram’s library or upload custom audio for use in reels.
• Verify that users can trim the length of their reel video within the allowed duration limit.
• Test applying effects, filters, and AR features to the video.
• Ensure that users can add text, stickers, and emojis to their videos for additional customization and engagement.
• Verify that users can adjust the playback speed of their reel videos.
• Test the preview functionality to review reel videos before finalizing the upload.
• Verify that failed uploads of reel videos due to network issues or other reasons can be retried automatically or manually without losing the uploaded content.

Security Test Cases for Instagram

• Verify that users are required to authenticate their identity (e.g., username/password, multi-factor authentication) before accessing their accounts.
• Test the system’s enforcement of password strength requirements to ensure users are encouraged to create secure passwords.
• Verify that sessions are properly managed, including session timeouts, session revocation, and prevention of session hijacking.
• Ensure that Instagram uses HTTPS protocol for secure communication.
• Verify that sensitive user data such as passwords, messages, and personal information are encrypted both in transit and at rest.
• Test the account recovery process to ensure it is secure and resistant to unauthorized access attempts.
• Test for CSRF vulnerabilities to ensure that Instagram has mechanisms to prevent unauthorized actions performed on behalf of authenticated users.
• Verify that input validation and parameterized queries are used to prevent SQL injection attacks on Instagram’s databases.
• Verify that Instagram’s APIs are protected against unauthorized access.
• Ensure that Instagram complies with relevant data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) by implementing appropriate data protection measures and user consent mechanisms.
• Test third-party integrations (e.g., log in with Facebook) for security vulnerabilities and ensure they adhere to Instagram’s security standards.

Test Case Scenarios for Share Functionality

• Verify that users can share posts (photos/videos) from their feed to their own stories or to specific users or groups.
• Test the ability to share stories (user’s own or others’) to specific users, groups, or as direct messages.
• Verify that users have options to share content via direct message, share to story, share to feed, or copy link.
• Test sharing options based on the privacy settings of the original post or story (public, private, followers only).
• Verify that shared content properly attributes the original creator and provides options for tagging or mentioning if applicable.
• Verify that shared content is previewed correctly before finalizing the share.
• Test sharing functionality for external content (e.g., links, articles) to ensure proper display and functionality within Instagram.
• Verify that users receive appropriate error messages and fallback options if sharing fails due to network issues or other reasons.
• Verify that share buttons are accessible and functional across different devices and screen sizes.

Bonus read: test cases for search functionality

Negative Test Cases for an Instagram

It is as important to run negative test cases as it is to execute positive tests. Follow this list of negative tests for Instagram testing.

• Try logging in using invalid credentials, such as incorrect username and password.
• Attempt to create an account using inaccurate details or existing usernames.
• Upload an image or video in an unsupported format (e.g., BMP, TIFF) or exceeding the size limit.
• Update profile information with special characters, HTML, or script injections.
• Try to reset the password without providing a valid email or phone number.
• Perform actions (like posting a photo or commenting) with intermittent or slow network connections.
• Attempt to view private profiles without the required permissions.
• Try commenting banned words or phrases to check for proper privacy and security settings.
• See if a personal profile user can access professional tools by changing the settings.

Bonus read: Positive and negative test scenarios

Finally, a Usable Test Case Template!

Testing is a strenuous process, but creating a test case sheet shouldn’t be. Access this Excel sheet as a starting point for creating your Instagram test cases. Build upon the pre-filled sheets and change the layout to suit your testing needs. 

Can We Automate Instagram Test Cases?

Yes, Instagram test cases can be automated, and it is the right thing to do.

Software testing is no longer confined to a few areas. Quality products now demand better UI, instant loading time, zero downtimes, leak-proof security, easy accessibility, and much more than just proper functioning. Automating all these processes (or whatever you can) saves time and resources while improving the software standard.

But you don’t have to worry about learning complex, code-based tools to do so! The present software testing automation tool market is filled with intelligent, AI-powered platforms that will make your work faster and more efficient. Testsigma is a cloud-based, NLP-supported automation testing tool for creating end-to-end tests in plain English. It runs web application automation testing, mobile app automation testing, and API testing, all in one platform.

Explore the benefits of using Testsigma for your mobile test automation needs

Conclusion

Instagram is a hugely popular application that commands extensive testing frequently. It requires prompt and accurate checking of its number of features and security aspects. In such a case, having a list of test cases to begin with is a good practice for developing quality software. That’s why this blog is solely dedicated to writing and running Instagram test cases manually and automatically.

Don’t forget to check out the Excel sheet consisting of test cases for you to save time on formatting and laying out a test case design template.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to write test cases for chat applications?

To write test cases for chat applications, focus on functional aspects like message sending, receiving, and notifications. Include scenarios for multimedia sharing, real-time updates, and handling connectivity issues. Test for cross-platform compatibility and ensure security measures like end-to-end encryption are in place.

How do you create test cases for mobile applications?

When creating test cases for mobile applications, cover areas such as user interface, functionality, performance, and compatibility across devices. Include tests for different screen sizes, resolutions, and operating systems. Verify navigation, data input validation, and network conditions. Address aspects like battery consumption and offline functionality.

Is mobile app testing easy?

Mobile app testing can be challenging due to diverse devices, platforms, and networks. Ensuring compatibility, usability, and security across variations requires meticulous planning. While the complexity can make it seem difficult, using automation tools and following best practices can streamline the process, making mobile app testing manageable and effective.