Class Is in Session: Learn What’s New and Trending at Instagram University 2023

Grab your notebooks and pens because class is in session at this year’s Instagram University. At NYC’s Hudson Yards, a group of creators in every niche gathered for a panel discussion on all things Instagram.

After a complimentary brunch, attendees participated in three sessions led by tenured professors, a.k.a. personnel from Instagram and content creators.

Ashley Alexander, VP of Product at Instagram, and Esh Ponnadurai, Head of Global Marketing at Meta, led session one. Throughout the course, they teased all of the new features coming to the platform at no better time, given that it is Instagram’s 13 birthday.

After observing Gen Z’s excitement for their friends’ birthdays, Instagram will introduce birthday features. They will alert you of your mutual followers’ birthdays. Which allows you to avoid the awkward “I’m sorry I forgot your birthday” text. Alexander and Ponnadurai also promised some fun features to give your friends a special birthday shoutout.

Instagram plans to build upon its newer Notes feature, which rolled out with text and introduced Notes with music afterward. Soon, users will have Audio Notes and Selfie Notes, another fun way to interact with followers.

The professors left us with one last exciting tease before closing the class. Rather than just having one Close Friends List, users can now create multiple lists for specific groups of friends, which is something users have begged for for the longest.

Moving onto session two, we learned what’s in and out of social media, fashion, and pop culture from creators turned friends Jess Xu and Emma Rogue. Trending this season are filming reels in 0.5 format, Y2K/Aaliyah Core, posting authentically in real time, horizontal photo dumps, and dating with intention (yes, please.)

On the other hand, we’re saying goodbye to gatekeeping and heavily filtered content because, at the end of the day, we’re not as perfect as our IG feeds may seem. After a “Red Flag, Green Flag” game utilizing trends, it was time for the last class.

Last but not least was a group study hall with the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri. Before answering any questions, he wanted to hear from us and asked, “If you had a magic wand, what is one thing you would change about Instagram?”

One common answer was the monetization program in which creators were initially paid for content like reels. As Mosseri mentioned, the program took off too much too soon, leading to plummeting profits; therefore, creators are now paid for reels through an exclusive content, subscription-like program. 

However, Mosseri assured everyone that they intend to return the original model once they can make it profitable in the United States.

After one final discussion on the importance of safety for all users on Instagram, the bell rang, and the class was over. Before heading out, guests treated themselves to vegan donuts, cold brews, and a take-home Polaroid photo to remember the occasion.

Oh, and they also left with a newfound fire to get started on creating meaningful and shareable content. Same time next year?

Check out the fun in the photos below.