Instagram Rings Awards: What It Is & Why It Matters for Influencers

Instagram has never been shy about setting trends. From the utterly pervasive 2012 Sepia tinged ‘avocado toast’ pics to your modern day grain filtered ‘quiet luxury’ OOTD snaps, its influence has shaped pop culture for over a decade.

But now, the platform is going a step further – by officially crowning its creators. Enter Instagram Rings, the app’s first-ever awards program celebrating creative risk-takers who shape the platform’s culture from the inside out.

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What Is Instagram Rings?

Announced by Instagram and Adam Mosseri in a collaborative post this week, Rings is both a digital badge of honour and a physical trophy. Out of three billion users, only 25 will receive the golden ring – quite literally.

Winners will gain not only a custom-designed gold ring (created by fashion visionary Grace Wales Bonner) but also in-app prestige: a shimmering gold story ring in place of the usual pink gradient, profile background customisation, and a dedicated Spotlight feed to showcase their work. It’s a heady mix of luxury craftsmanship, digital status symbol, jewellery, and algorithmic aura.

“Rings isn’t about honoring a specific type of content – it honors a spirit,” said Instagram in its announcement. “It’s for the creators who don’t just participate in culture – but shift it, break through whatever barrier holds them back to realise their ambitions.”

Who decides who gets a Ring?

Instagram has assembled an A-list judging panel that looks like a who’s who of contemporary culture…

The 2025 Rings judges include filmmaker Spike Lee, designer Marc Jacobs, fashion icon Grace Wales Bonner, artist KAWS, makeup legend Pat McGrath, tech creator MKBHD, actor and activist Yara Shahidi, pastry visionary Cédric Grolet, Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher, music producer Tainy, photographer Murad Osmann, and Instagram’s own cultural gatekeepers Eva Chen and Adam Mosseri.

From Spike Lee to Marc Jacobs, Yara Shahidi to MKBHD – Instagram’s first-ever Rings awards are being judged by icons who define culture both online and off

“Instagram is a community of three billion people, and those three billion people probably reflect a billion different interests, so the criteria was really tough,” said Eva Chen, Instagram’s Head of Fashion Partnerships. “Seeing the huge list of nominees and being able to cull it down to just 25, it was a challenge.”

The physical ring

Each awardee will receive a handcrafted gold ring designed by Grace Wales Bonner, presented in a bespoke box created in collaboration with Chen and Mosseri. It’s sculptural, weighty, and deeply symbolic – merging traditional craftsmanship with Instagram’s ultra-modern tech aesthetic. Think old-world heirloom meets digital-age clout.

The ring’s cushion-like design catches the light with a soft gleam, reminiscent of the app’s own ‘golden hour’ energy. It’s Instagram’s way of giving creators something tangible to show for their influence – a wearable emblem of online impact.

Designed by Grace Wales Bonner, the official Instagram Ring is a sculptural gold piece symbolising creativity, courage, and connection

Alongside the real-world jewellery, recipients will see their in-app Story ring turn gold – a visible, algorithmic halo distinguishing them from the billions of others scrolling beneath them. They’ll also gain the rare ability to customise their profile’s background and even tweak the “like” button – the platform’s holy grail of personalisation.

“We partnered with Grace Wales Bonner, a leading voice in fashion and culture, to design the ring to be awarded to each winner,” Instagram explained. “Her commitment to creative excellence reflects the spirit of Rings. We hope Rings inspires even more creativity and reminds us all to take creative chances.”

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So how do you get one?

You can’t apply. There’s no nomination form, no algorithmic hack. Instead, Instagram says you’ll need to be “fearlessly original” – the kind of creator who takes risks, connects communities, and breaks new ground online.

The initiative doubles as a quiet nod to the platform’s evolution. In an era where social media is often accused of killing creativity, Rings feels like a bid to bring soul back into the scroll – to reward art, not just engagement.

The lucky few will see their Instagram stories surrounded by a shimmering gold ring – a new digital halo marking the app’s most original creators.

For a platform that thrives on visibility, the golden ring is more than a flex – it’s a symbol of creative courage. It’s hopefully proof that, even in an algorithmic world, originality will still shine through.

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In the end, Rings is Instagram’s way of saying creativity still matters – that beyond filters and algorithms.

So whether your grid is a moodboard of mirror selfies or a micro-documentary series filmed on your iPhone, remember: the next golden ring could be yours – if you dare to post it your way.