Instagram has launched “Rings,” a new recognition program that rewards 25 standout creators with a real gold ring and a digital badge on their profile. Winners are selected by a jury including Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, film director Spike Lee, and popular tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD).
According to Instagram, the award is meant for creators who not only participate in culture but also change it, push boundaries, and set trends. Unlike previous programs such as the Reels Play bonus, which offered direct revenue, Rings does not provide a cash prize — it offers symbolic recognition through a physical ring and exclusive profile features, such as custom backgrounds and personalized “like” buttons.
While YouTube and TikTok continue to share revenue with creators — YouTube has paid over $100 billion in the past four years — Instagram is focusing on cultural impact and symbolism rather than financial incentives.
This move signals a new definition of influence: more important than views or follower count is how a creator shapes culture and trends. However, many see the gold rings as more of a gesture of appreciation than real support in the increasingly challenging creator economy.
In brief: Tech World Highlights
- Archer Aviation’s electric vertical aircraft Midnight eVTOL completed a record 55-mile flight in 31 minutes, reaching 126 mph (approx. 203 km/h).
- A German court ordered Apple to stop marketing its smartwatches as “carbon neutral,” ruling it constitutes greenwashing.
- Former Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia was appointed the first U.S. chief design officer by Trump, tasked with redesigning 26,000 outdated federal websites.
- U.S. tech giants Meta, X, and LinkedIn appealed Italy’s precedent-setting VAT collection request, which could affect tax rules across all 27 EU member states.
- OpenAI and SoftBank’s multi-billion-dollar AI project Stargate reportedly scaled back initial ambitions and now plans to build only a smaller data center in Ohio this year.
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