Key highlights:

• Instagram has launched the “Rings” award, set to honor 25 creators with a gold ring and a digital badge on their profile.
  
• A distinguished panel will select the winners, featuring Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, filmmaker Spike Lee, designer Marc Jacobs, and YouTuber Marques Brownlee.
  
• The initiative comes after Meta ended its Reels Play bonus program in 2023, which had served as a key income source for many creators.

Instagram introduces the “Rings” award to highlight the achievements of its standout creators. Unlike traditional cash payouts or brand sponsorships, this program honors 25 standout creators with symbolic rewards, including a physical gold ring and a digital golden badge on their profile. The award aims to celebrate creativity, influence, and originality, giving creators a new way to stand out on the platform.

What does the Rings award offer?

The Rings award provides winners with a combination of physical and digital recognition, along with exclusive tools to personalize their Instagram profiles. While there is no monetary prize, the program celebrates creativity, visibility, and prestige, providing creators a platform to showcase their individuality and influence.

Along with the award, the awardees will receive a gold ring created by the award-winning British fashion designer  Grace Wales Bonner. Her cross-disciplinary work contains a dedication to the creativity that embodies the spirit of Rings, making this partnership all the more fitting to celebrate the award. The users will also be highlighted with a digital golden ring on their Instagram to showcase their individuality and exclusivity. The platform has profile customization options where users can change background colors and “Like” buttons to further set their account apart. These customizations provide a more personalized experience that surpasses the ordinary social media experience.

While there’s no monetary prize, the award emphasizes visibility, prestige, and creative freedom, allowing creators to showcase their unique personal brand to Instagram’s global community. 

Jury Panel behind the award

The winners will be selected by a distinguished panel of cultural and creative leaders, including Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, filmmaker Spike Lee, fashion designer Marc Jacobs, makeup artist Pat McGrath, and tech influencer Marques Brownlee. This diverse lineup reflects the program’s commitment to honoring creators from a wide range of fields and backgrounds. The panel’s mission is to recognize individuals who push creative boundaries and make significant cultural contributions, whether through Reels, Stories, or other forms of digital content. By involving prominent figures from both the arts and tech industries, Instagram aims to lend the program a level of prestige comparable to major awards in film or music, emphasizing cultural impact over financial reward.

Cultural and community significance

Instagram Rings is designed not just as an award, but as a cultural milestone for the platform. Much like the Oscars or Grammys in the entertainment world, the initiative seeks to celebrate outstanding achievements in content creation and cultural influence. The award’s symbolic nature underscores Instagram’s focus on recognition and visibility over financial reward, aiming to incentivize creative innovation while building prestige within the platform’s global creator community.

By showcasing these 25 creators, Instagram highlights its commitment to fostering a diverse and dynamic digital culture. Winners come from a variety of creative disciplines and backgrounds, demonstrating the platform’s dedication to amplifying voices that shape trends, spark conversation, and influence cultural movements worldwide.

New recognition amid declining creator revenue

With financial opportunities for creators shrinking, Instagram has introduced a new initiative to recognize and reward its top talent in meaningful, non-monetary ways. This move comes as Meta scales back financial incentives, including the discontinuation of the Reels Play bonus program, which had been a vital revenue source for many creators. Brand deals have also dropped sharply, falling by 52% in 2024, according to a Kajabi survey, leaving creators seeking alternative forms of recognition and support.

The award aims to highlight creative excellence and foster a sense of community among creators. It also provides an opportunity for emerging talent to gain visibility and credibility in a competitive space. By shifting focus from purely financial rewards, Instagram hopes to encourage innovation and sustained engagement on its platform.

A new era for Creators

Instagram’s Rings award marks an important step in how digital creators are recognized and celebrated. By honoring 25 standout creators with physical gold rings, digital profile badges, and exclusive customization features but no cash reward, the platform highlights the value of prestige, cultural impact, and creative innovation. Recognition, visibility, and personal branding are emphasized as powerful rewards alongside financial gain.

As traditional revenue streams like brand deals and bonus programs become less reliable, Rings offers creators an alternative form of validation and a way to stand out in a crowded digital landscape. The program celebrates past achievements while encouraging winners to experiment and innovate further, showing that creative freedom and audience engagement are central to long-term success. By combining symbolic rewards with tangible digital tools, Instagram is setting a new standard for honoring influential creators and inspiring others to redefine what it means to succeed online.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Instagram Rings award?

The Instagram Rings award celebrates 25 creators from around the world for their creativity, originality, and influence. Winners receive a physical gold ring, a digital badge on their profile, and new tools to personalize their page. It’s all about recognition and prestige rather than financial reward.

Who selects the winners?

The winners are chosen by an impressive panel of creative leaders including Adam Mosseri, Spike Lee, Marc Jacobs, Pat McGrath, and Marques Brownlee. Each brings a unique perspective from different industries, ensuring a fair and diverse selection process.

What do winners receive?

Winners get a gold ring designed by Grace Wales Bonner, a digital golden badge on their profile, and exclusive customization features. These rewards highlight their creativity and help them stand out on the platform. The goal is to blend symbolic recognition with a personalized touch.

Why was the Rings award launched?

Instagram launched the Rings award to recognize top creators after financial programs like Reels Play were discontinued. With fewer monetary incentives available, this initiative offers meaningful recognition for creativity and cultural impact. It’s Instagram’s way of showing that creativity still matters most.

Is there a cash prize?

No, there’s no monetary prize attached to the Rings award. Instead, it focuses on prestige, visibility, and creative freedom. The recognition itself becomes a powerful career milestone for creators.

Who is eligible for the award?

The award is open to standout creators who have made significant cultural contributions on Instagram. This includes those who push creative boundaries through Reels, Stories, or other forms of content. Essentially, it honors creators who inspire and influence others.

How does it encourage engagement?

The award inspires creators to keep innovating and producing original content that resonates with their audiences. It reinforces the value of authenticity and creative expression. By celebrating influence over income, Instagram is building a more connected creator community.