Instagram is something that for better or for worse has become a large part of how I spend time on my phone. I’ll admit it; I have been known to go to events and pretty places just because of the Instagram opportunities. But with the beauty of Instagram also come the drawbacks. What are some of the things that the people you follow on Instagram do that just bug you? I asked some of my friends this question and they delivered awesome responses, from which I’ve created this guide to Instagram.
1. Post. Good. Pictures.
Instagram is a visual app, first and foremost. No one wants to see a blurry dark photo of your breakfast that looks like someone vomited on a plate. It may be one of the most delicious things you’ve ever eaten, but we can’t taste it. All we see is blurry food that looks like something gross! This also goes for those blurry concert photos and videos from the back row. No one can see or hear anything from those pictures and videos, ever. Just tweet about the experience, that’s what Twitter is there for! Now, if there’s a good, funny caption accompanying the photo, all bets are off. Wit will always supersede a bad photo.
2. #Chill #With #The #Hashtags, #Bro
Your caption shouldn’t be a novel of hashtags. While I understand that one of the best things about Instagram is immediate feedback and the potential to meet someone new, something like this is a bit excessive: #creep #weirdo #radiohead #gaysofinstagram #gaystagram #selfie #cuteguys #guy #boy #sexy #cute #hot #likes #followme #newyork #picoftheday #beautiful #photooftheday #me #instagood #love #follow #tagsforlikes #instadaily #igers #happy #summer #instamood. Just remember, all your followers have to scroll through all that, and it’s super annoying. Also, how many times have I trolled on the #bagel hashtag and see things that aren’t bagels? Too many times!
3. “I Wish I Knew Which Filter That Was!” said No One Ever.
Few people care what filter you used: So please stop hashtagging #valencia O:) An addition to this rule: it should go without saying, but hashtagging a photo with #nofilter when you’ve clearly used a filter is TOTALLY cheating. C’mon, guys.
4. Throwback Last Week?
So what exactly is the acceptable age of a photo for #ThrowbackThursday? This is something I’m guilty of that a lot of my friends think is annoying. I definitely post photos from less than a year ago and tagg it as #ThrowbackThursday. Apparently it bugs people! Well, I guess I’m still learning. My friends say that a year or more ago is appropriate for a Throwback Thursday photo. Next time you’re home for a visit, go through some old photo albums and stock up!
5. Quality > Quantity
Posting too much is overwhelming. My rule of thumb is no more than five posts a day and no more than two posts of the same thing. I recognize how cute your baby cousin is, but please stop posting photos of every single thing he does every moment of the day. Pick a good one that represents what you’re doing and post just the one!
6. Selfies.
I saved the best for last. Selfies are great. I was ecstatic when they started producing phones with a forward facing camera. Hey, even great artists made self-portraits, right? But what I’m trying to say here is, like every good thing, please selfie in moderation. Don’t turn into this guy.
With all social media, keep in mind that if something bugs you, it probably bugs your friends, too. Don’t be an Instanerd. Follow these unwritten rules of Instagram.