Main Instagram trends in 2023

The social network Instagram has been around for more than 10 years, and it seems that throughout its history, the platform has regularly been accused of being too frivolous and superficial, and its users of showing a “photoshopped” life, far removed from reality. But the younger generation of Americans seems to want to see more honest content on the social network. Instagram surveyed more than a thousand of its U.S. users, ages 16 to 24, about how and why they intend to use the app in the new year. From the responses, the Instagram team compiled a list of trends that are likely to be top of mind on the platform in 2023. We selected the most interesting ones.

Consciously consume.

Instagram has long been more than just pretty pictures and videos, it is an entire business platform to promote yourself, your brand and a variety of products – from clothing and cosmetics to sessions with a psychologist and “marathons of desires. But here’s Generation Z urging all Instagram users to slow down a bit and cut back on this endless consumption. Instead of buying new clothes, they call for buying at second hand stores or giving a second life to old jeans or dresses by giving them a new design. And here’s how exactly to do that, they promise to tell you in their Instagram accounts.

More action.

No more passive scrolling. Generation Z calls for being more socially and politically active. Most respondents pledged to support aspiring young politicians and activists, as they want to see more members of their generation in the political arena. They promise to support them financially, by transferring money – such a function is available on Instagram. And informationally – by telling about young politicians on their pages. By the way, the first ever representative of generation Z was elected to Congress in the fall 2022 midterm elections – 25-year-old Maxwell Frost, representing the Democratic Party in Florida, who actively shares the details of his political life on his Instagram-blog.

Earning.

Two-thirds of those surveyed said they plan to focus their work and earnings on social media. By comparison, a couple of years ago, American zoomers said they were using social media primarily as entertainment. Yet now they also say they hope to improve their financial literacy in the new year. So, perhaps psychologists, astrologers and other insta-specialists will be joined by financiers.

Learning new cultures through food

Generation Z wants to see more recipes and blogs on Instagram about the national cuisines of the world. This is the way they cite as the most preferred way to learn about new cultures.

Finding Love

And finally, a little bit about love. Zumers admitted that they do not like online dating apps, saying that it is too complicated. It is much easier for them to write a personal message to the person they like on Instagram. At the same time half of respondents admitted that the best way to start correspondence is to send a meme. It would seem that what could be easier? But you have to be careful here. Forty percent of those surveyed said that “poor taste in choosing memes” can lower a potential mate’s appeal.

Well, whether the buzzers’ predictions about trends in the new year will come true and what the world will be discussing in 2023 – you’ll find out about all that, as always, from “Real Time” broadcasts and the Voice of America pages on the website and social media – including on Instagram.