Instagram might seem like a pretty straightforward platform — post a photo, share a story, scroll through your feed.
And for a long time, that’s what it was. However, Gen Z has a whole unspoken rulebook when it comes to how you should (and shouldn’t) use it. Social media etiquette is constantly evolving, and what might have been normal a few years ago is now seen as outdated, cringe-worthy, or just plain annoying. If you want to avoid second-hand embarrassment and keep your Instagram presence on point, here are some things that young people say you should absolutely never do.
1. Posting way too many selfies in a row
There’s nothing wrong with a good selfie, but if your entire grid is just close-ups of your face from slightly different angles, it starts to feel repetitive. Gen Z prefers variety — mixing in candid moments, group shots, and lifestyle content rather than endless posed selfies. Overposting selfies can also come across as trying too hard, which is something this generation actively avoids. The goal is to look effortlessly cool, not like you spent hours perfecting the same photo over and over.
2. Using way too many hashtags
Hashtags used to be a great way to get more engagement, but Gen Z sees excessive hashtag use as outdated and desperate. A long list of #blessed, #instagood, and #followforfollow just screams “trying too hard” and can make a post look cluttered. Instead, subtlety is key. A few well-chosen hashtags in the caption, or even hidden in the first comment, feel more natural and keep the focus on the content rather than screaming for attention.
3. Posting every single moment of your day
Instagram Stories are great for sharing snippets of your life, but there’s a fine line between giving a fun glimpse into your day and completely oversharing. If your Story bar turns into tiny dots from non-stop updates, people are probably skipping through without watching. Gen Z prefers quality over quantity. A few well-chosen moments throughout the day are far more engaging than documenting every meal, errand, or coffee cup in excruciating detail.
4. Liking a bunch of old posts in a row
Accidentally liking a post from 2017 while deep-stalking someone’s feed is one thing, but deliberately going back and liking a dozen of their old posts? That’s just uncomfortable. It makes it obvious you were scrolling way too far back, and Gen Z considers it a social media faux pas. If you want to engage with someone’s content, stick to their recent posts. Anything beyond that feels like you’re digging into their digital past a little too much.
5. Posting inspirational quotes with zero context
Unless you’re actually going through something and sharing a meaningful thought, dropping random motivational quotes with no explanation just feels out of place. Gen Z prefers authenticity over vague attempts at wisdom. If you’re going to post a quote, make sure it actually connects to something personal, funny, or relevant to your life. Otherwise, it just looks like filler content that nobody really pays attention to.
6. Using Instagram like it’s Facebook
Instagram has its own vibe, and treating it like an extension of Facebook is a fast way to stand out — in the wrong way. Long-winded life updates, endless birthday posts, and generic “tag 10 friends” chains feel out of place. Gen Z keeps it short, visually engaging, and to the point. If you’ve got a lot to say, a caption is fine, but make sure it actually adds something interesting to the post rather than reading like an old-school Facebook status.
7. Overusing filters that look unnatural
Gone are the days of heavy Instagram filters that make everything look oversaturated and unrealistic. Gen Z prefers a more natural, effortlessly cool aesthetic — soft edits, subtle colour adjustments, and photos that don’t look overly edited. Using a filter that smooths out every detail or makes the sky look neon blue isn’t doing you any favours. The goal is to enhance, not completely transform, and looking real is far trendier than looking picture-perfect.
8. Posting cryptic drama-filled captions
Dropping vague captions like “Some people will show their true colours” or “You know what you did” without any context just makes people roll their eyes. If you have an issue, Instagram probably isn’t the place to deal with it. Gen Z values transparency, but they also prefer to keep personal drama off their public feed. Oversharing negative emotions in a mysterious way doesn’t spark curiosity — it just makes people uncomfortable.
9. Commenting generic things just for attention
Leaving comments like “Wow” or “Love this” on every single post you see doesn’t make you look supportive — it makes you look like a bot. Gen Z prefers comments that actually add something to the conversation, even if it’s just a simple joke or an inside reference. If you want to engage with someone’s post, put a little thought into what you say. A comment that feels personal and genuine will always stand out more than copy-paste compliments.
10. Tagging people in random posts for no reason
Unless someone is actually in the photo or directly related to the content, tagging them in a random post is unnecessary. It’s one thing to tag a friend in a meme they’d appreciate, but tagging five people in a selfie? That’s just awkward. Gen Z prefers organic interaction over forced engagement. If someone wants to see your post, they will. There’s no need to drag people into it just for extra likes.
11. Posting engagement bait
Asking people to “Comment your favourite emoji if you see this” or “Like this post if you agree” just comes across as desperate. Gen Z can spot engagement bait a mile away, and it usually has the opposite effect; it makes people less likely to engage. Authentic content gets engagement on its own. Instead of begging for interactions, focus on creating posts that naturally make people want to like, comment, or share.
12. Sharing way too many gym or meal photos
Posting the occasional workout update or food pic is fine, but if your entire Instagram turns into a personal fitness tracker, it gets old fast. Constant gym selfies or daily meal photos start to feel repetitive rather than inspiring. Gen Z prefers balance — mix in different aspects of your life instead of making your entire feed about one thing. If you really want to document every meal or workout, a separate account might be a better option.
13. Acting like an influencer when you’re not
Trying to copy influencer-style posts without actually being an influencer can feel forced. Overly curated shots, fake brand shoutouts, or writing captions as if you have thousands of followers can come off as cringe-worthy rather than aspirational. Gen Z values authenticity over perfection. Instead of trying to present a lifestyle you don’t actually live, keeping things real and relatable will always resonate more with people.
