Top 10 trends for 2023 on Instagram

Instagram has released its report on trends in 2023 that will be a guideline for reaching out to its community. This report was designed with the help of WGSN (a survey agency) who surveyed over 1200 Generation Z (14-24 year olds) in the US.

This report contains all the topics and themes of interest to Generation Z. This report is a goldmine for companies that want to align themselves with the values and topics that are important to 16-24 year olds.

the trends on instagram 2023 - the trends records

Recycling, second hand and creation

The first major theme of this Instagram report shows that climate change and pollution are serious issues for this generation. Indeed, Gen Z is very interested in fashion but does not want to continue consuming fast fashion. Therefore, young people aged 16 to 24 will favour second-hand products in order to limit their environmental impact.

In addition, this generation is very fond of DIY which allows them to recycle or create objects. For example, many designers show tutorials on how to create and sew trendy clothes themselves so that they can continue to dress fashionably without consuming fast fashion.

In action and politics

Gen Z are an activist generation who want to make things happen quickly. While 30% of Gen Z are old enough to vote, the other part cannot yet make their voices heard through voting. So they support their causes on Instagram and are willing to donate money to help companies and associations that share the same ambitions as them. 

In addition, this generation follows a lot of influencers their age on Instagram who are politically active. Young people are very engaged in politics and want to see more politicians of their own age, for example, so they can make their voices heard.

2023 : The year of make-up revisited

Make-up is no longer synonymous with beauty for Gen Z but has become a tool to express themselves. More and more young designers and users are interested in artistic make-up.

Moreover, as a generation that has grown up in a world with global warming, young people prefer to buy make-up that protects their health. For example, they will prefer cosmetic products that protect against UV rays but also against polluted air.

The metaverse and avatars: a 2023 plot

Generation Z sees the metaverse as an opportunity to build a better world with common values and respect for each other. Thus, 67% of Gen Z think that avatars should better represent the diversity of physiques (morphology, clothes, skin colours) in the coming years.

In addition, more than half of this generation wants to be inspired by digital avatars and influencers about fashion and beauty.

Finance at the heart of the 2023 trends

Generation Z has clearly understood that Instagram is a platform where it is easy to start a business and earn an income. 64% of them even plan to monetise a project on Instagram.

In addition, finance has once again become a central topic for young Instagram users. Indeed, they want to understand and develop their financial skills in order to better develop their business and entrepreneurship. 85% of Gen Z plan to develop a new skill in 2023 with 1 in 4 wanting to strengthen their financial knowledge.

Foreign culinary culture for all to enjoy

Recipes on Instagram are all the rage. Many young people are interested in cooking and 68% of generation Z are interested in traditional cooking from other countries and would like to try cooking a dish after seeing a video about it.

Instagram has become a place where all cultures meet and allows GenZ to increase their curiosity about other countries and cultures and to learn more.

Community and interaction with creators

Creators on social networks have all built an active community. Thus, generation Z wants to interact with their favourite designers on social networks and in real life. For example, live performances are very important to them and a third of them would like to meet their designers at conventions.

Finally, Gen Z users follow their creators on several different platforms and would like to find them in different content formats. For example, more than 40% of them would like to find them in podcasts that cover different topics.

Music creation and music events

Music is one of the most common 2023 trends for this generation. Indeed, Gen Z use music to express themselves and are interested in all types of world music. However, KPOP and Latino music are very present on Instagram.

In addition, this generation also wants to take advantage of musical events to get together and reconnect. Raves are becoming increasingly common and 68% of this generation want to participate in this type of event throughout 2023.

Dating on Instagram

Creators on social networks have all built an active community. Thus, generation Z wants to interact with their favourite designers on social networks and in real life. For example, live performances are very important to them and a third of them would like to meet their designers at conventions.

Finally, Gen Z users follow their creators on several different platforms and would like to find them in different content formats. For example, more than 40% of them would like to find them in podcasts that cover different topics.