- No Cash Prize: Instagram is launching a new “Ring” award for 25 top creators, but it comes with no monetary compensation.
- Symbolic Rewards: Winners receive a physical ring, a digital profile badge, and a custom “Like” button.
- Troubling Timing: The move comes as Meta has drastically cut creator payout programs and a recent survey shows brand deals for creators have plummeted by 52%.
- Star-Studded Panel: High-profile judges include director Spike Lee, designer Marc Jacobs, and YouTuber Marques Brownlee.
Creators Face New Reality as Instagram Unveils Award
Instagram has announced a new awards program, set to honor 25 top creators with a gold ring. While the platform aims to create an “Oscars for content creators,” the news is sparking debate, as the award comes with zero financial compensation.
What Winners Actually Get
Winners will receive a custom-designed physical ring, a digital golden ring emblem for their Instagram profile, and the ability to create a custom “Like” button for their feed posts. The judging panel features industry titans like Instagram head Adam Mosseri, Spike Lee, Marc Jacobs, and Marques Brownlee, lending significant prestige to the award. However, the prestige is purely symbolic.
A Symbolic Gesture Amidst Financial Cuts
This new program arrives at a critical time for creators. Over the past few years, parent company Meta has systematically dismantled its creator payment initiatives. The company shut down bonuses for Reels creators in 2023, ended affiliate marketing bonuses in 2022, and recently axed a program that paid for ads in creator profiles.
This financial pullback is compounded by a struggling market. A 2024 survey from Kajabi revealed a shocking 52% decrease in brand deals for creators. With income streams drying up, many are questioning whether a symbolic ring is what the community truly needs. Instagram stated the award is for “celebrating those who aren’t afraid to take creative chances,” but for many, the chance to earn a living is the biggest concern.
Winners will be announced on October 16.
Image Referance: https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/06/instagram-introduces-new-ring-award-for-top-creators/
