The Instagram Rules: The Good, the Bad, and the Very Boring (2024)

Hayley Bloomingdale is the editorial and social media editor for Moda Operandi.

@Instagram is not for everyone. If you make the decision to join this unique social network, please be sure to carefully read the rules and proceed with caution. And note: Just as it is often applicable in the fashion-sphere, the classic proverb "the rules are made to be broken” holds up in the case of the Instagram as well.

What is an Instagram-Worthy Picture?

In short, anything beautiful, awesome, hilarious, or amazing that evokes emotions including but not limited to: laughter, appreciation, jealousy, inspiration.

Bear in mind: Unless you are a food blogger, pictures of food should be used sparingly. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself: “Will this make someone hungry, or will it make them want to throw up?” If the answer is throw up, do not post the picture. We have all seen avocado toast. Every single one of us. It is indeed very tasty. But unless yours comes with gold flakes, there is really no need to share that picture. Coffee art should also be used sparingly. Facebook is a better platform for coffee art: You’ll get plenty of likes from the middle-aged mothers.

hayley bloomingdale's instagram rules

Photo: Courtesy of Hayley Bloomingdale / @hayleybloom

Pictures of cheesy quotes are absolutely forbidden (e.g., “You Have as Many Hours in the Day As Beyoncé” or any quote that instructs someone to “Keep Calm and _______”). Pictures of yourself that were published on a website with a watermark are never acceptable. Try pinning the picture to Pinterest instead, or just get over yourself.

Do not post the “circle of feet” (or hands) picture. It isn’t a good ’gram. Unless everyone has on spectacularly unique shoes, people will just assume you wanted to tag people but your friends are ugly. (Note: Pictures that include faces get 38 percent more likes than those without.)

hayley bloomingdale's instagram rules

Photo: Courtesy of Hayley Bloomingdale / @hayleybloom

Frequency

Never post more than three photos a day. There are a few circ*mstances where this rule can be broken: Fashion Week, on a particularly fantastic vacation, or your birthday. If you do post three photos in one day, you cannot post a photo the next day. If you want to #regram a picture that a friend has just posted, under no circ*mstances is it acceptable to #regram at the same time. Wait a few hours. You have the same followers, no one wants to see that twice in a row on their feed.

hayley bloomingdale's instagram rules

Photo: Courtesy of Hayley Bloomingdale / @hayleybloom

Filters

A filter is not always needed, but is a good idea 80 percent of the time. Many girls adhere to the old adage: “I look amazing in Valencia.” Note that the Kelvin filter is to be avoided at all costs. If it really does make a picture better, it is to be used sparingly and with extreme caution. Never, under any circ*mstances, may the Kelvin with border be used. Fun fact: Black-and-white filters help hide everything from a bad sunburn or spray tan to red wine lips.

The Instagram Rules: The Good, the Bad, and the Very Boring (2024)

FAQs

What are the good and bad things about Instagram? ›

Navigating the dual nature of Instagram's impact unveils its contributions to global connectivity, creative expression, and entrepreneurial opportunities, contrasted with challenges like social comparison, cyberbullying, and addiction.

What are the new rules of Instagram? ›

Share only photos and videos that you've taken or have the right to share. As always, you own the content you post on Instagram. Remember to post authentic content, and don't post anything you've copied or collected from the Internet that you don't have the right to post.

Is it good or bad to have Instagram? ›

Research shows that spending more than an hour a day on Instagram, can directly impact your mental health and wellbeing. Note that even though Instagram is the most detrimental to our mental health and well-being, there are many other social media platforms that follow closely behind Instagram- such as Snapchat.

Are there any dangers with Instagram? ›

These include: being contacted by strangers; viewing inappropriate content; negative interactions and cyberbullying; negative impacts on physical and mental wellbeing; becoming addicted; and being influenced by others and by advertising. Instagram's direct messaging feature in particular carries important risks.

What is the weakness of Instagram? ›

Lack of Privacy and Data Leaks

Many of its users have voiced their concerns on the privacy issue. These unexpected data leaks have reduced their trust level in the social media platform. Research shows that among other social media platforms, Instagram is the most invasive.

What is not allowed in Instagram? ›

Illegal Content – We don't allow support or praise of terrorism, organized crime or hate groups on Instagram. Offering sexual services and selling firearms and drugs are also prohibited. Hate Speech, Bullying and Abuse – We remove credible threats of violence, hate speech and the targeting of private individuals.

What posts are banned on Instagram? ›

Avoid posting content that violates Instagram community guidelines: This includes posting hate speech, nudity, violence, and other inappropriate content.

What age group mostly uses Instagram? ›

Most of its Users Are Between 18-24 Years Old

As of January 2024, the largest age group of males on Instagram were those between 18-24 years old. They made up 16.5% of the platform's users. The largest age group of females were also 18-24, making up 15.2% of users.

Is it OK to not use Instagram? ›

Is it okay not to have Instagram? Yes, it is entirely okay not to have an Instagram account. Many people choose not to use social media for various reasons, such as privacy concerns or a lack of interest. Ultimately, whether or not to use Instagram is a personal decision.

Is it normal to not want Instagram? ›

It's okay if you don't want to participate.

Just like anything else, everyone's relationship with this part of society is going to look a little bit different and we shouldn't assume that someone wants their life documented on social media. You can say no, or you can spend less time on the apps.

What are the benefits and negatives of Instagram? ›

It's a platform to showcase talents, build a personal brand, and promote businesses. It offers visual inspiration and the opportunity to engage with like-minded individuals and brands. Cons: Instagram can be addictive, promote comparison and anxiety, and contribute to a fear of missing out (FOMO).

What are the good things of Instagram? ›

Advantages of Instagram

Anyone can sign up and make an account without paying anything. As a result, every smartphone user can access the software whenever they want. Sharing: The user can freely share every content on Instagram, whether made directly from the Instagram app or if the user creates Instagram deep links.

What are the pros and cons of public Instagram accounts? ›

To sum up, public Instagram accounts offer increased visibility, higher engagement, and potential brand opportunities. However, they also come with privacy risks, unwanted attention, and difficulty in controlling content.

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