What Instagram Actually Cares About: Beyond Likes and Filters

We all know that Instagram stands as one of the most influential platforms, shaping the way we connect, share, and express ourselves.

For many users, it’s all about likes, filters, and curated aesthetics. However, what does Instagram truly value and prioritize beneath the surface of your profile?

In this article, we’ll learn what Instagram actually cares about, exploring the platform’s core principles and examining real-life examples of its commitment to these values.

1. Authenticity:

While filters and photo-editing tools have become synonymous with Instagram, the platform truly values authenticity. It encourages users to share genuine, unfiltered moments.

Do You Know?

Instagram introduced the ‘Stories’ feature, allowing users to share unpolished content. The concept behind Stories was inspired by the idea that not every moment needs to be picture-perfect.

Celebrity FACTOR

Influencers and celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and Selena Gomez have used Instagram Stories to share unscripted moments, candid glimpses of their daily lives, and even less-than-glamorous situations. 

As per BBC newsbeat, Selena Gomez has said being the most-followed woman on Instagram is “a big responsibility”. Of course, she needs to be authentic.

Being authentic and being successful are interconnected. Selena Gomez’s beauty brand, Rare Beauty, has made a positive impact on her instagram followers in a lot of ways. The brand is known for its commitment to inclusivity. This has resonated with her followers, promoting a more diverse beauty industry. Instagram prioritizes community engagement and connection. The platform actively promotes discussions and interactions within its user base. Selena Gomez’s active engagement with her followers on instagram, including responding to comments, has played a major role in contributing to her popularity.

You Got it!

Instagram wants you to utilise the comments section more than you actually do!

Features such as the comment section and direct messaging underscore Instagram’s commitment to fostering connections and that’s what instagram really cares about!

2. Community Building:

Instagram prioritizes community engagement and connection.

The platform actively promotes discussions and interactions within its user base. Features such as the comment section and direct messaging underscore Instagram’s commitment to fostering connections.

For example: Non-profit organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have harnessed Instagram to build a global community around environmental issues, raising awareness and driving support through compelling visuals and shared experiences.

Note that followers who receive responses from Selena and other big influencers may become more loyal and dedicated fans. 

3. Creativity:

Creativity is at the heart of Instagram, and the platform rewards those who push artistic boundaries.

Whether it’s through stunning photography, innovative content formats, or visual storytelling, Instagram provides a space for creative expression.

For example, Photographer Murad Osmann’s captivating “Follow Me To” series, where he documents his travels with his wife, has amassed millions of followers by showcasing creativity and a unique perspective.

Safety and Well-being:

Instagram is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for its users. This includes efforts to combat cyberbullying and promote mental health.

Features like comment moderation and the ‘You’re All Caught Up’ feature reflect Instagram’s concern for the well-being of its users.

For example, Instagram’s “Take a Break” feature, introduced in response to concerns about screen time and mental health, encourages users to set daily reminders for taking breaks from the platform.

As content creators, we get trolled very often; sometimes for reasons unknown.

The solution:

Post what is acceptable as per instagram policies and regularly monitor and moderate comments on your posts to remove any offensive or inappropriate content. You can filter out specific keywords and enable comment approval to have more control over what appears on your posts. 

5. Diversity and Inclusion:

Instagram actively promotes diversity and inclusivity, celebrating users from all backgrounds and communities. It takes a stand against hate speech, discrimination, and exclusion.

Brands like Fenty Beauty by Rihanna and individuals like model Winnie Harlow have leveraged Instagram to celebrate and promote diversity in beauty and fashion. Fenty features models of various ethnicities, skin tones, body types, and genders in its marketing campaigns. In a way, you are promoting inclusivity and diversity and it reflects on your brand value. 

Fenty’s wide range of beauty products especially the concealer achieved an all time high on instagram since Instagram’s algorithm rewards content that resonates with a wide range of users. Instagram algorithm also favours visually appealing content, especially if it aligns with the user’s interests.

6.Entrepreneurship:

Instagram provides a platform for businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive. It offers tools like Instagram Shopping and Business Accounts, which cater to brands and small businesses. Fenty consistently collaborated with influencers and celebrities who had a significant following on instagram. Using relevant hashtags to categorize its content is also of utmost importance to instagram’s algorithm. 

Brands like Glossier have built multi-million-dollar businesses through Instagram’s e-commerce capabilities, engaging directly with their audience and making shopping seamless.

The instagram algorithm generally favours content that keeps users engaged by aligning the interests and values of a diverse audience on its platform. That’s what instagram cares about, to be honest!

Oh No Filters!

Now let’s come to filters; whether using them or over abusing them on Instagram. While it can be a fun way to enhance your pictures, it is important to understand that relying solely on filters is unlikely to help you gain popularity on this platform. We talked about celebrities like Selena Gomez in the beginning of this blog about how they gained popularity and not just followers.

A lot of celebrities including Selena do share a lot of NO-Filter pictures on her stories and that’s what makes her more popular and earn a loyal fan base. Instagram’s algorithm considers various factors such as Engagement, Consistency and User Interaction. Filters play a minor role compared to these factors and remember authenticity is highly valued on instagram. Overusing filters can create a sense of disconnection from your audience. Moreover, filters can distort light, colours, details, making your content less realistic. 

Food Influencer or Travel Photographer, Less is more!

Consider a food influencer who primarily posts photos of dishes they have prepared. If they overuse filters to the point where the colors and textures of the food appear unrealistic, it can have negative consequences and people might troll her for the same. This could also lead to loss of trust and engagement among their audience. Moderation is the key to maintain a balance between aesthetics and authenticity and like we said before, Instagram cares about genuine content. 

Well that’s what they care about!

Instagram cares about more than just filters and likes. It values authenticity, community, creativity, safety, diversity, and entrepreneurship. It is a space where real-life connections are forged, where artists find their canvas, and where businesses thrive. Understanding these core principles can help users and businesses alike leverage Instagram to its fullest potential while contributing to the values that the platform holds dear.

We hope you got the rules of the game! Good luck posting great pictures!