Oscars of internet? Instagram thinks so

Platform launches Rings Awards while fine-tuning tools and maps to keep creators — and audiences — hooked

In a series of bold moves, the Meta-owned app has launched The Rings Awards, introduced Instagram Map in Pakistan, and rolled out new creator-focused inbox management tools, signalling an intensified focus on empowering its vast creator ecosystem – all in month-time period.

The platform, which now boasts over three billion monthly active users, announced The Rings Awards this week — its own version of The Oscars for digital creativity. The awards will honour 25 creators who have pushed boundaries, taken risks, and redefined storytelling on the app.

"We felt that it was time to have an award that recognises people who take these creative chances on our platform," said Eva Chen, Instagram's head of fashion partnerships and one of the minds behind the initiative. "These people are cultural catalysts, sparking conversations and inspiring others to express themselves."

Winners will receive a bespoke ring designed by British fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner and a digital golden ring for their profiles. They'll also get exclusive perks such as customisable profile backgrounds and a personalised spotlight feed — clear indicators of their elite status in the Instagram community.

The jury for this first-of-its-kind event reads like a roll call of pop culture royalty: Chen, Wales Bonner, Instagram head Adam Mosseri, filmmaker Spike Lee, makeup artist Pat McGrath, designer Marc Jacobs, rugby star Ilona Maher, actress Yara Shahidi, and artist KAWS. "Narrowing it down to 25 was excruciating," Chen admitted. "There are simply too many brilliant people doing innovative work."

While Instagram celebrates its top-tier talent globally, it's also enhancing how everyday users connect locally. Earlier this month, Instagram Map was officially launched in Pakistan — a feature allowing users to explore stories, reels, posts, and notes tagged with specific locations.

Accessible directly from the DM inbox, the map lets people discover what's happening at nearby cafes, concerts, and hangouts. Privacy, Meta insists, remains paramount: location sharing is off by default, with users able to control visibility and manage permissions. Parents overseeing teen accounts can also review and adjust sharing settings.

The move comes amid a steady rollout of features designed to enhance community engagement, from improved Reels functionality to repost tabs and live location updates. Together, they aim to make Instagram a more immersive and interconnected digital landscape.

But perhaps the most strategic update is one designed for the app's most influential users — literally. Meta is rolling out advanced inbox management tools for accounts with over 100,000 followers.

These include multi-select filters for sorting messages, custom folder creation for brand or fan conversations, and sorting messages by type — a long-requested feature for content creators drowning in DMs.

By reserving these upgrades for large accounts, Instagram is acknowledging what many already know: creators are its crown jewels. Their content drives engagement, fuels advertising, and sustains the influencer economy that underpins the app's success.

Taken together, these developments reveal Meta's evolving playbook. The social media giant isn't just building tools for sharing pictures anymore — it's crafting a creator-first universe.

From awarding digital pioneers to refining how users connect and communicate, Instagram's latest moves make one thing clear: the future of social media belongs to those who can create, connect, and command attention — one ring, one map, and one message at a time.