Instagram has announced that it has passed the milestone of 600 million monthly active users.

This means that the photo sharing app is attracting new users at its fastest-ever rate - and its user-base has doubled in two years.

The company's aped Snapchat's 'Stories' and introduced features like live videos that disappear after they are broadcast.

It has also introduced new measures to crackdown on bad behaviour, allowing users to block posts that feature abusive terms.

This news comes as the app continues to integrate advertisements and tinkers with algorithmic photo feeds highlighting popular posts.

Instagram is now twice the size of Twitter - the micro-blogging platform's user based has plateaued at close to 300 million users since early 2015.

Meanwhile Facebook (which owns Instagram) has updated its messaging app - with some distinctly Snapchat-like new features.

Last week, Instagram released its annual list of the most Instagram-ed destinations for the year. Theme parks frequently crop up on the list, with Disneyland and Universal Studios Orlando making the top three. The most-snapped European landmarks include the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum in Paris.