Instagram introduces Rings: A new way to spotlight top creators
Instagram Rings is a new award to celebrate creators shaping culture, and it could mean more recognition for artists too.
What are Instagram Rings?
A golden ring could soon appear around your favorite creator’s profile picture. Instagram has just unveiled Rings, a new award program designed to spotlight the creators pushing boundaries and shaping culture across the platform.
The Rings award recognizes creators who are bold, original, and influential in their creative choices. According to Instagram, the goal is to honor those who make a real impact in the platform, shaping trends and conversations.
The first round of winners will be announced on October 16 according to TechCrunch, so we can expect to see multiple winners. Instagram’s blog post suggests more winners will be announced further down the line.
How the award works
Instagram has hand-picked a panel of judges to choose the winners. The group includes Instagram Head Adam Mosseri, designer Marc Jacobs, YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD), and more. Each judge then nominates their favourite creators before voting on who makes the final list.
Once chosen, winners will receive a physical custom ring designed by English fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner, who also sits on the panel of judges.
Alongside this, the winning creators will receive a digital golden ring that appears around their profile picture, replacing the usual story ring. It shows up across their profile and on the Stories feed. They’ll also be able to customize their profile backdrop color and like button, giving them a more distinct presence on the app.
What artists and creators can take away
The move reinforces Instagram’s message that a creator’s profile is central to their identity on the platform. The new golden ring serves as visible recognition for those leading content creators.
So, while most users won’t be getting a golden ring anytime soon, this update is still a great reminder for artists to optimize their Instagram presence. Your profile is often the first thing potential fans see, so make it count.
Choose a profile picture, username, and bio that represent your brand or artistic identity. You could even add keywords or Push.fm Smart Links to your music or other content.
Even if you’re not in the conversation for a ring, standing out on Instagram is still a crucial way to growing your audience and getting noticed.