The 10 Commandments of Instagram

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The 10 Commandments

@DiannaMcD

THOU SHALT NEVER POST DSLR PHOTOS TO INSTAGRAM

Instagram Etiquette 101: Don’t post DSLR photos. Some see it as cheating, others see it as tacky. This goes against the app’s purpose of encouraging mobile photography and streamlining the process of live-sharing on multiple platforms.

Not to mention, everyone can tell that your macro-lens photo of a water droplet wasn’t taken with your iPhone.

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2 THOU SHALT KEEP HOLY THY NEIGHBOR’S IMAGE

Not since the early days of Facebook has it been so tempting to post embarrassing photos of your friends online.

If you must share a friend’s embarrassing photo, try not to push it to Twitter or Facebook. Let it live on Instagram until your friend sees it the next day and makes you take it down.

THOU SHALT USE HASHTAGS3

Instagram’s search feature is burrowed deep inside the application, making hashtags the easiest way to get a photo seen outside of your network. They’re also useful for engaging with brands and finding new people to follow.

Keep in mind, not all hashtags are created equal! Try to search #sexy in Instagram and see what happens...

THOU SHALT ONLY POST ONE#CATSTAGRAM PER DAY

Sub-Commandment A: Any pet photo must be adorable or hilarious. There is no room for anything in between.

Sub-Commandment B: Photos of your pet must differ from each other. No one wants to see all the different ways your dog can sleep.

Don’t let Fluffy take over your Instagram feed.

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THOU SHALT STOP POSTINGPICTURES OF FOOD

Food generally looks less appetizing on-screen than it does IRL. Unless you are a food critic or run a cooking blog, put those images of your feast back on the shelf.

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THINE INSTAGRAM AND TWITTERNAMES MUST MATCH

In order to be tagged in both Instagram and Twitter, your usernames must match. It goes without saying, but it should be as easy as possible for your followers to mention you.

I’m looking at you @KelseyLK (Twitter) / @kelseysaurus (Instagram).

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THOU SHALT KEEP EFFECTS DOWN TO A MILD ROAR

Over-doing effects can turn a normal image into a high contrast, grainy mess (see left). If a scene looks like it could never happen in the real world, the effect has gone too far. Don’t rely on HDR or extreme filters to make a photo interesting.

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THOU SHALT REMEMBERTHINE STATISTICS

For the data obsessed, Statigr.am provides detailed Instagram account statistics in a well designed interface. Data reveals average likes per photo, percentage of photo filters applied and activity over time. Statigr.am also gives custom optimization feedback such as the best time to post and which filters yield the most activity.

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THOU SHALT INTRODUCETHYSELF

When you follow someone new on Instagram, like or comment on one of their photos. This is common courtesy. It shows a level of respect, and will encourage that person to follow you back!

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THOU SHALT HONOR THY COMMUNITY

Give back! Instagram is a two-way street - don’t just sit back and let the likes flow in. Engage with followers by liking and commenting on their photos. Use your extended network to discover new people to follow. Respond to commenters using their @ username.

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