Remember we told you about Twitter cutting off Instagram’s access to its API, destroying Instagram’s “find friends on Twitter” feature?

Well, the crafty little picture powerhouse that could appears to have found a work-around. At least in part.

Instagram announced today that it was boosting its Twitter integration with a nifty little feature: @mention translations.

Here’s how it works: After you snap your super-terrific shot and just before you click “share,” Instagram will figure out if the person you mentioned by their Instagram username has a Twitter username attached to their Instagram account and will add their Twitter handle too!

If the @mentioned user has connected Instagram to Twitter:

• The user’s Instagram username will appear in the photo caption
• The user’s Twitter username will appear in the tweet

If the @mentioned user has not connected Instagram to Twitter:

• The user’s Instagram username will appear in the photo caption
• The @ sign will be removed from the username when shared to Twitter

For @mentions that do not match any Instagram usernames, the @ sign will remain when shared to Twitter.

Why did Instagram bother doing this when they’re nipping at Twitter’s heels for most popular non-Facebook platform on the planet? To make sharing to Twitter more seamless, of course.

They’re certainly not saying “ha ha, we’re still marketing to your users!” No siree.

Have you tried this feature out yet? Do you love it?

(Sharing image from Shutterstock)