Tell us, Instagram, is this how you view women?
Yeah yeah, shoppable content is the future, the latest updates of Pinterest and Instagram confirmed that but, being “woke” and also having a “woke” marketing team is the present and the future. Haven’t you guys learnt anything?
So a couple of days ago, Instagram rolled out its shoppable content update to 8 more countries and we all got a new Story from the beloved app to inaugurate and pop the cork to.
Don’t know about you (I can only hope), but upon the first viewing, I cringed hard. Second viewing, and in my mind, thoughts like “Is this how they view women?” or “This is not what being inclusive/non-sexist looks like!” started exploding, while watching the byproduct of the “Get-in-loser-we’re-going-shopping” Mean Girls-inspired scene, go down.
If we dissect the Story, slide by slide, I’d say it’s clearly targeting plus-size women, but for the sake of many factors, let’s just say women. Not sure how the app’s analysts are doing over there, but my guess is they don’t really dig male fashion influencers, so they skipped the demographic that goes with them altogether. Why not.
What is so disturbing about this marketing move is that they stereotyped a powerful market that finds refuge in this very platform, in the most cliché and outdated manner. The female-identifying audience, is anything but this poorly designed bitmoji, and having merely a shopping-centered brain.
Put that on top of the anti-“Free the nipple” policy, and you got yourself an app straight outta the ‘50s.
In the not-so-distant past, we’ve seen many hard fails in advertising, but for some reason, Instagram’s not steps but… miles backwards, roots my fears about the company’s societal views and ethos, even deeper than they were two days ago.
What were your initial thoughts on the Story?
You might also like
More from Instagram
Facebook Messenger And Instagram Add Disappearing Messages Feature
Facebook has announced a new 'vanish mode' on Messenger and Instagram that lets you send spontaneous messages that disappear automatically.
Instagram Announces Exclusive Post Malone Show On Watch Together
Instagram announced new show series with Post Malone - exclusively on Messenger and Instagram through Watch Together.
Instagram Adds Reels And Shop Tabs To Its Home Screen
Instagram is updating the design of its home screen for the first time in years to give Reels and Shop …
Instagram Expands Badges In Live To More Countries
After testing badges as a way for creators to monetize their Live broadcasts, Instagram is now expanding the feature to …
You Can Now Go Live For Up To 4 Hours On Instagram Live
Instagram announced it's increasing the time limit for live streams to 4 hours, letting creators run longer live events without …
Age-Gating Can Now Be Applied To Specific Posts On Instagram
Age-gating on Instagram can now be applied to specific branded content posts on Business and Creator accounts.
Instagram Cracking Down On Influencers Who Don’t Disclose Paid Partnerships
Instagram is making changes to crack down on influencers who don't disclose paid partnerships with brands.
Facebook And Instagram Dropping Embedded Content Support On WordPress Sites
Facebook and Instagram embedded content will soon break on WordPress websites unless owners generate an app ID with a developer …
Instagram Brings Shopping Features To IGTV
Instagram has announced the expansion of Instagram Shopping on IGTV; will soon start testing shopping features within Reels.
