2. THOU SHALT NEVER POST DSLR
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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.
3. THOU SHALT KEEP HOLY THY
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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.
4. 3 THOU SHALT USE HASHTAGS
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...
5. THOU SHALT ONLY POST ONE
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#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.
6. THOU SHALT STOP POSTING
5
PICTURES 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.
7. THINE INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER
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NAMES 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).
8. THOU SHALT KEEP EFFECTS
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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.
9. THOU SHALT REMEMBER
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THINE 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.
10. THOU SHALT INTRODUCE
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THYSELF
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!
11. THOU SHALT HONOR THY
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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.
