If I had a dollar for every time I scrolled through my Instagram feed and was distracted by a questionable Insta, I’d be rich. You know what I’m talking about; that post that breaks up your entire feed and makes you question why you followed the user in the first place. I’m sure we’ve all experienced it.
Don’t get me wrong, we all have our off days. Sometimes we just need to post a photo to express our thoughts and feelings. And that’s totally fine. It’s when these rare posts become more frequent that they become cause for concern. An Instagram-worthy photo should be nothing short of amazing, hilarious or beautiful. No pressure, but the photo should always evoke some sort of emotion, like jealousy, happiness or curiosity.
Being a follow-worthy Instagram user comes with a set of unspoken rules; these rules can affect whether or not someone decides to follow you.
Disclaimer: These rules should only be followed if you’re serious about and committed to stepping up your Instagram game.
1. Thou shalt not ever like your own post
This is a cardinal sin of Instagram. It is never acceptable. If the thought ever crosses your mind, it’s time to quit. Why, you might ask? Common Sense 101: The fact that you decided to post your photo on Instagram means that you do, in fact, like it. So please, don’t like your own ‘gram.
2. Thou shall commit to a single vibe
Because Instagram is a notorious stalking platform, it is important to stick to a single vibe. Think of your Instagram as your personal brand. When someone is creeping on you, what should they be thinking about you? Aesthetics are everything on Instagram. So choose your theme and commit to it. For instance, look at Lauren Conrad’s account.
LC’s account is full of warm-toned, hazy and fun-loving photos. With every post, she leaves her followers wishing they lived her life. Her Instagram’s flow is just as flawless as she is. She’s clearly nailed her personal brand.
3. Thou shalt not over-edit their photos
There is no good reason why your Insta should ever look like you’ve spent 45 minutes editing it. So please refrain from using multiple filters, turning the saturation all the way up and/or using more than one editing app on one photo. If your photo needs a ton of editing, maybe you should rethink it. Is it really worth the time and effort?
Pro Tip: Black and White filters help to hide everything from poor lighting or crappy weather to a bad sunburn. So when in doubt, don’t waste time editing.
4. Thou shalt never post more than once a day
Unless you have an incredibly good reason (like two of your best friends share a birthday and you can’t just say “Happy Birthday” to one of them), or you’re a celebrity getting paid to post, you should never post multiple photos. There’s just no need. And, if you do have a good enough reason to post more than once a day, you cannot post the next day. Take a break.
5. Thou shalt never under any circumstances post more than one selfie in a week (at least)
If you do this, calm down. No one cares. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but try Snapchat for your daily selfies. (I’m talking to you, “gym-selfie takers.” We get it. You work out everyday. Cool. Unless you’re working out with someone famous, like Beyonce, a selfie does not need to be posted on Instagram.)
6. Thou shall always have a clever caption
It’s simple: the better the caption; the more likes you’ll get.
7. Thou shall never think it is acceptable to post or caption photos with an inspirational quote
Inspirational quotes are a no-go. They’re not artsy and they do not make you look/seem deep. By doing this, you’re not only hurting your chance for likes but you’re also hurting your credibility as an Instagrammer. To be honest, inspirational quotes are cause for concern. It will make your followers question your sanity.
8. Thou shall limit their food posts
Multiple food Instas are only acceptable under two circumstances. One, if you’re a foodie. Two, if you’re a food blogger and get paid to Insta yummy dishes. If you are neither of these, please limit yourself. While your delicious brunch and cute coffee art will make your followers jealous and hungry, both should rarely be uploaded.
Also, here’s a pro-tip from model, social media queen and chef, Chrissy Teigen: “It’s important to only do food photos during daylight -- and it’s all about color with Instagram.”
9. Thou shalt not use more than three relevant hashtags on a single post
Using too many hashtags is a problem on so many levels. One, no one wants to read them. Two, they take attention away from your photo. A good rule of thumb to remember is: if you have to use the comment section just to add more hashtags, you’re doing something wrong.
10. Thou shall never #regram a picture, that a friend has just posted, at the same time
Chances are you and your friend have the same followers, none of whom want to see the same post twice in a row. So take a break, come back in a couple hours, and if you still want to, regram it.
11. Thou shall always check with your friends before posting a photo with/of them
This is just common courtesy. No one wants to be surprised with a notification telling them that they’ve been tagged in an ugly photo. I emphasize: no one. It’s just better to double check than risk a friendship.
12. Thou shall always stay away from Instagram when drunk
Drunk Instas are never OK. If you want to remember the night, Snapchat it. Then, the next day, when you’re 100 percent sober, go through your photos/snaps and post it (but only if necessary). Make a mental note of this right now. Trust me, it will save you from regretting posts later.
So next time you’re going to post on Instagram, remember these commandments. Double check the rules and make good choices with your photos.
