Instagram has unveiled a new initiative to recognize and reward its most exceptional content creators. The platform will be awarding golden gifts to a select group of 25 individuals who have demonstrated outstanding creativity and engagement.
The exclusive gifts include a solid gold ring and a distinctive badge displayed next to their account names, signifying their elevated status within the Instagram community. This program aims to celebrate talent beyond just follower counts.
Winners will be chosen by a distinguished panel of judges, including Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, renowned film director Spike Lee, celebrated designer Marc Jacobs, and tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee. Brownlee emphasized that the program focuses on appreciation rather than monetary rewards, recognizing the value these creators bring to the platform.
Beyond the gold ring and badge, selected creators will also gain the ability to customize their profile backgrounds and personalize the like button displayed on their accounts. Instagram describes the program as an award for “exceptional creativity,” highlighting the focus on innovative and original content.
This new program follows Meta’s decision to discontinue its previous bonus program in 2023, which provided creators with financial incentives based on views of short videos. After user feedback, Mosseri announced in 2024 that the platform was developing a new rewards system. The golden gifts mark a shift towards recognizing quality and creativity over simply chasing views, signaling a new era of creator support on Instagram.
