If you’ve scrolled through Instagram lately and noticed some creators glowing in gold, no, your phone isn’t glitching, it’s just the Ring. Instagram has officially launched its very own “Rings” award, a glitzy new way of crowning the 25 creators who are shaping culture, breaking the algorithm, and basically making the rest of us rethink our camera angles.
Think of it as the Met Gala of Instagram: exclusive, mysterious, and dripping in status. Winners aren’t just getting likes, they’re getting a ring. A real one. Designed by none other than Grace Wales Bonner (yes, that Grace Wales Bonner). The award comes with a physical gold ring and a matching digital one: a shimmering golden halo that wraps around their Stories, replacing the usual pink-and-orange gradient. Translation? Everyone knows you’ve made it.
But that’s not all. The chosen 25 also get customization powers the rest of us can only dream of, from changing their profile background colors to getting a spotlight section inside Instagram itself. Their content won’t just show up on feeds; it’ll be framed in gold. Literally.
Now, you might be wondering: how do you get your hands on this digital diamond? Well, you can’t apply. The Rings aren’t for sale, and there’s no nomination form hiding somewhere in your settings. It’s invitation-only, chosen by a dream panel that includes Spike Lee, Marc Jacobs, Pat McGrath, KAWS, and Instagram’s own Adam Mosseri. The judges aren’t looking for the loudest accounts, they’re looking for the ones that bend the rules, shake up the feed, and make you stop mid-scroll because, well, it’s just that good.
In a world where everyone’s chasing followers and engagement, the Ring flips the narrative. It’s not about numbers, it’s about narrative. It’s a nod to the power of originality, creativity, and the kind of influence that can’t be measured in analytics. It’s the ultimate creator flex: a digital Oscar with better lighting and a built-in audience.
Of course, because it’s Instagram, the memes came fast. Some joked it’s giving horror movie energy (“watch this Story and you get seven days to go viral”), while others declared it the new influencer status symbol. But humor aside, this move signals something bigger, Instagram isn’t just celebrating content anymore; it’s celebrating culture.
Only 25 creators will be chosen this year, making it a seriously exclusive club. The rest of us? We’ll be watching their golden rings circle around Stories, half in awe, half taking notes for next year.
So yes, Beyoncé told us to “put a ring on it,” but Instagram just redefined what that means. And in 2025, if your Story glows gold — congratulations — you’re not just part of the algorithm. You are the moment.
