Instagram Introduces ‘Ring’ Award to Honor Top Creators Globally

By Mudit Dube | Oct 07, 2025, 10:57 AM

What’s the story?
Instagram has announced a new awards program called the ‘Ring’, aimed at honoring top creators on its platform. The first batch of 25 winners will be announced next week.

This initiative is part of Instagram’s ongoing effort to recognize and celebrate those who drive cultural change and push boundaries through their creative work.

Judging Panel

The judging panel for the ‘Ring’ award features a distinguished lineup of personalities, including Instagram head Adam Mosseri, acclaimed director Spike Lee, renowned designer Marc Jacobs, popular YouTuber Marques Brownlee, actress Yara Shahidi, and legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath.

Each winner will receive a custom-designed gold ring created by English fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner, along with a digital golden ring displayed on their Instagram profile. Additionally, winners will have the exclusive opportunity to customize a unique “Like” button for their feed posts.

Strategic Shift Amid Payout Program Changes

The launch of the ‘Ring’ award comes as Meta has been scaling back its creator payout programs in recent years. Earlier this year, Meta discontinued a program that compensated creators for ads featured on their profiles.

In 2023, the company stopped paying bonuses to Reels creators on both Instagram and Facebook, and in 2022, it shut down its affiliate marketing bonuses. These moves signal a shift in how Meta supports creators financially.

Challenges Faced by Creators

Creators have faced a declining number of brand deals, with a reported 52% drop in 2024. According to Bank of America, along with fewer sponsored partnerships, competition is intensifying as more paid partnerships become concentrated among a smaller group of top creators.

Despite these challenges, Instagram remains committed to recognizing and celebrating its most creative users, and the ‘Ring’ award symbolizes this dedication.

The Vision Behind the ‘Ring’ Award

Instagram describes the ‘Ring’ award as a celebration of creativity — honoring those who aren’t afraid to take creative risks and forge their own paths. In a company blog post, Instagram said the award is “all about celebrating those who bring people together over their creativity, and deserve recognition.”

https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/instagram-s-new-ring-award-will-honor-top-creators/story

**Instagram Introduces ‘Ring’ Award to Honor Top Creators Globally**
*By Mudit Dube | Oct 07, 2025, 10:57 AM*

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Instagram has announced a new awards program called the **’Ring’**, aimed at honoring top creators on its platform. The first batch of 25 winners will be awarded next week. This initiative reflects Instagram’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating individuals who drive cultural change and push boundaries through their creative work.

### Judging Panel

The judging panel for the ‘Ring’ award features several notable personalities, including:
– Instagram Head **Adam Mosseri**
– Director **Spike Lee**
– Designer **Marc Jacobs**
– YouTuber **Marques Brownlee**
– Actress **Yara Shahidi**
– Makeup Artist **Pat McGrath**

Each winner will receive a custom-designed gold ring created by English fashion designer **Grace Wales Bonner**, along with a digital golden ring displayed on their Instagram profile. Winners will also have the opportunity to customize a unique “Like” button for their feed posts.

### Strategic Shift in Creator Programs

The launch of the ‘Ring’ award comes amid Meta’s recent scaling back of creator payout programs. Earlier this year, Meta discontinued a program that compensated creators for ads on their profiles. Additionally, in 2023, Meta stopped paying bonuses to Reels creators on Instagram and Facebook and shut down its affiliate marketing bonuses in 2022.

### Challenges Facing Creators

Creators have experienced a 52% drop in brand deals in 2024, reflecting a challenging landscape for monetization. Bank of America noted last year that alongside the decline in sponsored partnerships, competition is intensifying, with more paid partnerships concentrated among top creators.

Despite these challenges and shifts, Instagram remains committed to celebrating its most creative users through this symbolic new awards program.

### Vision Behind the ‘Ring’ Award

Instagram describes the ‘Ring’ award as a way to celebrate those who are unafraid to take creative risks and forge their own paths. In a company blog post, the award is said to be “all about celebrating those who bring people together over their creativity, and deserve recognition.”

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With the introduction of the ‘Ring’ award, Instagram continues to highlight the importance of creativity and innovation within its creator community, even as monetization models evolve.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/instagram-s-new-ring-award-will-honor-top-creators/story