While Instagram has its own rules and guidelines for what not to post on the platform, there are still some "unspoken rules" when it comes to using the social media giant. Instagram is one of the most popular social media sites on the planet, with millions of users logging in and posting on a daily basis.
But even with all that popularity and global reach, Instagram isn't a no-holds-barred free-for-all; especially if you're using it for business. Here are five things you should never post to Instagram and why they're no good for your page.
1. Overly-Personal/TMI Posts
We all understand that periods suck, your unhealthy bowel movements have you concerned, and your recent breakup is just so sad; but there's a place for these kinds of complaints and posts, and social media just isn't it. Instagram followers buy compelling content by subscribing to your feed, and they certainly didn't go there to learn about your latest TMI post. Oversharing is a common problem on social media sites, and sometimes it's just downright gross.
Whatever motivation compels you to post TMI, please ignore it. No one on your feed is interested in gruesome or overly-private details about your personal life. You need to be careful when you're posting about personal problems as well; especially if you're gossiping about someone you care about. Everything that makes it to the internet carries the potential to stay there forever, so you must be cautious about the content you're posting.
If you feel the need to post something personal, try reaching out to a trusted friend instead. You're more likely to find compassion and solace in your conversation with a close friend than with strangers on the internet. Plus, close friends can handle overly-personal or TMI much more tactfully than your Instagram followers! They simply don't want to hear it!
2. Plagiarized Content
With millions of users and unique content in limitless quantities, it can be pretty overwhelming when you're first starting out on Instagram. You want to stand out, but when you look around at the well-established competition, you wonder how you can possibly do so. Then, you get an idea; one that you know is wrong, but that you can't help but consider. One that could potentially damage your reputation permanently for possible gain: plagiarism.
People value unique content and originality, so stealing someone else's content is a big no-no. Plagiarism is the act of taking something someone else has created and flaunting it as your own original idea. Not only is this an insult to the original creator, but it also speaks to your own creativity. People will look at you and assume you have no good ideas of your own if you're going around stealing everyone else's!
In our internet-based society, plagiarism is not difficult to find out. With the click of a button, a user can generate millions of search results. Make no mistake; if you plagiarize content and post it on Instagram, someone will figure it out. The internet has made the world a much smaller place, and content is easily found and recognized with a simple search engine query.
3. How You're Spending Your "Sick" Day
This is actually a pretty common mistake across multiple social media platforms, and you would think people would learn, but these posts continue to pop up on everyone's feed from time to time.
If you've called off work because you were genuinely (or not so genuinely) sick, the worst thing you can do for yourself is turn around and post all about how you're spending your day off on Instagram. Whether you're lounging at home binge-watching Netflix or playing hooky at the mall, your employer can potentially see what you're posting and you'd never even know it.
As noted by ViralRace, this is also incredibly unprofessional, and your employer probably won't take kindly to it; especially if you aren't really sick. If you're not too sick to go to the mall and shop for hours, you can go to work. Posting this kind of info on Instagram may just be your own resignation!
4. An Abundance of Selfies
Instagram pretty much spawned the selfie craze and gave it a place to grow, but that doesn't mean your followers (or anyone else for that matter) want to see multiple selfies on a daily basis.
Not only does this type of content become boring rather quickly, but it also makes you look incredibly vain if that's the only thing you post. Yes, Instagram is a great place to post a selfie now and then, but your entire page shouldn't be dedicated to only posting selfies if you're looking to get any value from it.
Selfies can be an expression of confidence, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with being confident. The problem arises when posting selfies becomes a frequent occurrence each day, and people start to wonder why you like looking at your own visage so much. Don't be afraid to post a selfie now and then, but accounts dedicated to just that isn't adding any true value to the platform.
5. Gossip
We've all seen it; feeds filled with juicy gossip about one person or another. Celebrities and everyday people alike participate in the toxic habit, which is usually quite harmful to the person who's on the other end of it.
Not to mention, gossip is almost always only half-true, and things get twisted around to almost unrealistic proportions once the information has made it through enough people. Gossiping is toxic, and isn't good for your reputation as a person or an Instagrammer, and should be avoided at all costs.
If you think about it, gossip really only has one true purpose: to hurt, demoralize, defame, or belittle another person and spread their business around. Is that what you want to be known for on Instagram?
As the page that posts everyone else's business without knowing even half of the facts? If you're a business owner, professional, or even an influencer on Instagram, this behavior could very well cost you your livelihood as well as your reputation. We offer just one word of advice: don't.
