Hajra Naz
Instagram just announced a new global awards program for creators. It’s called the Instagram Creator Awards. Next week, 25 creators from around the world will get a custom gold ring — one real and one digital.
The goal is to celebrate creators who are changing digital culture. Instagram says it wants to honor those who inspire, innovate, and break barriers. These are the creators who use their voice and creativity to bring people together.
Who Will Pick the Winners?
The judging panel is packed with well-known industry figures and creative icons, including:
- Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram
- Spike Lee, award-winning director
- Marc Jacobs, world-famous fashion designer
- Marques Brownlee (MKBHD), tech YouTuber
- Yara Shahidi, actress and activist
- Pat McGrath, celebrity makeup artist
The gold rings have been designed by Grace Wales Bonner, an acclaimed English fashion designer known for blending luxury fashion with cultural storytelling.
What Do Winners Receive?
Winners will get:
- A custom gold ring crafted by Wales Bonner
- A digital golden ring badge on their Instagram profile
- The chance to create their own “Like” button for posts
Interestingly, there’s no cash prize. Instagram says the focus is purely on
- Recognition
- Creativity
- Community influence, not monetary rewards.
Read More: Instagram Map Now Available in Pakistan for Safe Connection
Why Now?
This move comes after Meta quietly cut back on paying creators. In 2023, Meta stopped giving Reels bonuses. Earlier this year, it ended profile ad payouts. And its affiliate bonuses shut down back in 2022.
It’s been a rough stretch for creators, too. A Kajabi report said brand deals dropped 52% in 2024. And Bank of America noted that most deals now go to top-tier influencers.
So while the Instagram Creator Awards don’t come with cash, they offer something else—status. Think of it like the Oscars for creators, just without a red carpet or acceptance speech.
What Instagram Says
In a blog post, the company wrote:
“This award is all about celebrating those who aren’t afraid to take creative chances and do it their way—those who bring people together through their creativity and deserve recognition.”
Winners will be officially announced on October 16.
Why It Matters
Instagram wants to remind creators that recognition still counts—even in a time when payouts are shrinking.
It’s also a way for the platform to boost community pride and highlight people driving real culture online.
The message is clear: creativity is currency.
Read More: Instagram Says It Isn’t Listening Through Your Microphone—AI Handles Data Instead
FAQs
1. What are the Instagram Creator Awards?
A new program celebrating 25 creators who inspire, innovate, and shift culture on the platform.
2. Do winners receive money?
No. Winners get a gold ring, a digital badge, and a custom “Like” button instead of cash.
3. How are winners chosen?
A panel of well-known names, including Adam Mosseri, Spike Lee, and Marc Jacobs.
4. When will winners be announced?
Instagram will reveal the 25 award winners on October 16, 2025.
5. Why is Instagram launching this now?
Creator payouts have dropped, and Instagram wants to celebrate creativity, not just monetization.
