Instagram Profile Tags
Academic Project
Re-defining digital identity by focusing on simplicity, usability, and meaningful self-expression
Role
UX Designer
Timeline
3 weeks
Collaborators
Co-Designer
Skills
Brand Identity
Product Thinking
What is Instagram Profile Tag?
Instagram Profile Tags is a conceptual feature designed to give users a quick and structured way to highlight aspects of their identity right on their profile.
My role
I co-designed Instagram Profile Tags, focusing on the UI design and end-to-end prototyping. Throughout the design, I made sure every component was aligned with Instagram’s existing design system. With my co-designer, we brought high-fidelity mockups that were tested with real users to refine the flow. In the end, we delivered a concept that gives users a fresh, structured way to express themselves on their profile.
Overview
As Instagram continues to grow as a space for self-expression, so does the need for more meaningful ways to connect.
Instagram has always encouraged users to build community and express themselves through photos, captions, and even the music they're listening to. But these methods require time and effort, leaving a gap for something simpler and more direct.
How might we give users more ways to customize their profile to reflect who they are?
Introducing Profile Tags
Streamlining digital identity on Instagram
Profile tags provide a structured and clean way for users to express their identity. In return, others can scan, process, and connect with someone's identity in seconds.
Key Feature #1
Simple onboarding
Users can access Profile Tags directly from their profile page.
Key Feature #2
Elevating your profile tag
Make each tag your own by adding an emoji that feels like you.
Identifying our users
Who are we designing for?
While Instagram has a huge audience, we narrowed our focus to young adults aged 18–21 for this project.
Impact
Confirmed feature relevancy as Instagram expanded self-expression tools
Shortly after completing this project, Instagram rolled out a feature allowing users to display their university on their profiles to help students foster community.
100% of users expressed satisfaction with feature.
Users completed the entire flow without friction and noted that the experience felt completely native to Instagram.
Reflection
Designing through the lens of a company
Instead of thinking, how would I design this? I found myself asking, "how would Instagram design this?" It was a refreshing shift to approach a problem through the lens of a company and evaluate whether our solutions aligned with their core values.
