I was casually flipping through my various social media during some down time the other day, when I came across an article that jumped out at me. It was called "These Are The Most Instagrammed Museums of 2017."

I liked the article because it detailed the importance of Instagram for businesses. Restaurants and museums, two huge tourist attractions, newly rely on Instagram for its free advertising and effect on masses. The top Museum in this article was the Louvre in Paris. The Metropolitan Museum in New York was a close second. These two museums are already very well known and trafficked heavily by the general public. What’s interesting, still, is how much they still rely on social media to bring in crowds. Museums are, after all, almost a type of business.

The 10th most Instagrammed museum on the list was The Museum of Ice Cream in LA. This museum, a fairly new one, most noticeably relies on the influence of social media to make it a place to go. When people from various walks of life post about one thing, it reaches their friend circles who also may go and then post and reach other groups of people. Over time, that cumulative outreach via Instagram is what expands its popularity and brings attention to these locations and gives Instagram its pivotal role in helping otherwise unknown places skyrocket into fame.

The article got me thinking because it's not just tourist attractions that rely on social media to get noticed. In a place like NYC, a huge ocean of businesses and people, to stand out is difficult. New York City is a hub for food and culture and to reach stardom amongst hundreds and hundreds of restaurants, you need to have outreach and product advertisement from more than the actual supplier. According to a Cosmo list, the number one restaurant was “230th 5th” which boasted a rooftop restaurant and club.

Being a rooftop restaurant, the amazing skyline and view help it dominate the Instagram world as people almost obligatorily take pictures of and with it. This Instagram impact makes it an attraction that forces it to take reservations weeks and weeks early as everyone wants to be a part of it. The second most popular restaurant was Nobu Malibu. With its meticulously crafted dishes, people post food pictures by the dozens and it gives the restaurant a lot more impact and advertising than it already has (as it is already a well known exclusive and high-end place).

The competition that businesses must vie against to gain notability and have booming clientele is a common thing but because of Instagram, museums, and restaurants become important places to go. For one reason, obviously so other people can have the same experiences they see in pictures, but to also post pictures of those experiences themselves, thus furthering the impact and improving outreach.