From Instagram-dedicated photo pits at fashion week to cult favorite facial cleansers inspired by Instagram comments, the latest Instagram innovations highlight the ways in which brands are leveraging the platform to generate organic buzz, despite ever-increasing saturation within the lifestyle blogging medium.
Sonic Drive-In ran an experiential campaign at both Coachella 2016 weekends that let attendees order specially designed "square" milkshakes on Instagram. The user was able to have their milkshake delivered at the event and was aimed at promoting the brand's new premium milkshake menu.
Additionally, the omnipresence of the image-sharing platform can be seen influencing traditional mediums such as print advertising with campaigns, like the TV spot for Menlook that opted to create square-shaped visuals. The Instagram-inspired campaign featured popular users from the platform like Romain Costa, Quyen Mike and Tarek Q.
35 Instagram Innovations
From Instagram-Shoppable Milkshakes to Fashion Influencer Photo Pits:
Rebecca Byers — May 6, 2016 — Tech
35
Graphic Design Cookies
Holly Fox Transforms Her Digital Designs into Edible Artwork
34
Modeling Doll Campaigns
This Campaign Features a Doll of Derek Zoolander and Barbie on Instagram
33
Narrative Experiential Tv Campaigns
This Mr Robot Campaign Sent Fans Hunting for Hidden Cash Drops
32
Top Model Lipstick Collections
The Joan Smalls Lipstick Line for Estee Lauder Includes 12 Shades
31
Custom Dessert Campaigns
Talenti Uses Social Media to Match People to Favorite Ice Cream Flavors
30
Social Shopping Pop-Ups
Tanger Outlets Celebrates Its New Location with Fun Pop-Up Stations
29
Social Media Vending Machines
IHeartRadio's Kiosk Turns Instagram Posts into Free Merchandise
28
Robotic Dating App Stunts
This SXSW Tinder Marketing Stunt Used a Hot Robot to Promote Ex Machina
27
Fashion Influencer Photo Pits
Cadillac Fairview's CF Style Instapit Catered to Bloggers
26
Social Media Travel Guides
The Sherpa App Converts Instagram Accounts into Visual Travel Platforms
25
Athletic Instagrammer Editorials
Stylecaster Profiles Kayla Itsines and Her Athletic Style
24
Hater-Referencing Tour Tees
The Beyoncé Formation Tour Merchandise Calls Out Her Nay-Sayers
23
Interconnected Instagram Videos
Jägermeister's 'Insta-Hack' Plays with Videos on Instagram
22
Instagram-Shoppable Milkshakes
Sonic Will Serve Square Shakes Sold Through IG at Coachella
21
Custom Social Photo Algorithms
This New Instagram Update Could Change the Way Users Post Forever
20
Emoji Analysis Campaigns
Old Navy's Emoodji Reveals Insights Based on Popular Emoji Use
19
Social Media Magazines
Ballantine has Launched an Interactive Whiskey Magazine on Instagram
18
Digital-First Makeup Campaigns
The Makeup Brand NYX Infuses Crowd Sourcing into its Campaigns
17
Instagram-Inspired TV Ads
This TV Advertisement from Menlook is Constructed of Instagram Photos
16
Social Media Billboards
The First-Ever Instagram Advertising Campaign is Launching in France
15
Crowdsourced Beauty Cleansers
Glossier's New Gel Cleanser Was Developed with Help from Fans
14
Rooftop Instagram Stunts
This Nordstrom Instagram Campaign Takes Marketing to New Heights
13
Automated Social Marketing Tools
'Gram Growth' Streamlines Instagram Marketing for Fast Growth
12
Monochromatic Photo-Sharing Platforms
A Black and White Instagram Design is Currently Being Tested
11
Restructuring Social Media Platforms
Instagram Feeds are Changing to Focus More on Relevance
10
Recycled Photo-Sharing Features
The New Instagram Reshare Feature Lets Users Post Others' Content
9
In-App Escape Rooms
The TFSS Instagram Account Hosts an Interactive Escape Room Experience
8
Social Gen Z Platforms
Yoursphere is Customizable Social Media App for Tweens
7
Social Music Mixers
Miller Genuine Draft Created 'RemixGram' to Help Fans Make Music on Instagram
6
Animated Travel Campaigns
Eurostar is Using Creative Instagram Posts to Drive Engagement
5
Quirky Bee Campaigns
This 'Bring Back the Bees' Campaign Removes the Letter "B" on Social Media
4
Future-Focused Social Media Apps
The 'Willy' App Stores Posts and Shares Them in the Future
3
Heart-Sharing Campaigns
Dawca.pl's Health Social Media Campaign Encourages Users to Share Likes
2
Competitor-Tracking Apps
This Unmetric App Allows Brands to Set Up Social Media Tracking
1
Filmic Adventure Campaigns
TSFF's Instagram Lets Users Direct Their Own Story in Silent Film
Related Ideas
Newsstand-Style Pop-Up Series
Uber Eats x ALDI Celebrated Their Partnership with 'The Daily Feed'
Location-Based Social Media Features
Instagram Map Connects Friends Who are Nearby One Another
Social Media-Inspired Retail Apps
Depop Outfits Lets Users Create Moodboards and Collages
Connected Beverage Platforms
Coca-Cola Uses Freestyle Data to Create New Drinks Faster
Wellness Brand Experiences
Pilates and Influencer Events Are Shaping Lifestyle Marketing in Peru
Shoppable TV Ads
Samsung and Amazon Enable Remote-Based Shopping Directly on TV
Nutrition-Forward Treat Shop Pop-Ups
Bloom Nutrition Hosted the Very Successful Treat Shoppe
Luxury Eyewear Pop-Ups
Prada Opens an Immersive Eyewear Boutique at The Grove
Ice Cream Press-On Nails
Magnum x Naomi Yasuda Partner for Delectable 3D Press-On Nails
Authentic Connection Campaigns
Heineken's Hijack Socialization Encourages Out-of-Home Gatherings
Real-Life Mood-Board Transformations
Pinterest Launches the 'Bring My Pinterest to Life' Series
Mobile Cafe Pop-Ups
Coach Introduced a Vibrant Coffee Truck in Gotemba, Japan
Fashion-Inspired Food Marketing
Magnum Blends Beauty, Music and Luxury Culture into Its Brand
Interactive Advertising Installations
Intimissimi's 'Feel the Billboard' Uses Tactile Advertising
Immersive K-Beauty Pop-Ups
TIRTIR Brings Jeju Matcha Skincare to NYC with a Sensory Experience
Fashion-Branded Café Experiences
Vogue Blends Retail with Immersive Hospitality Spaces
Summery Lip Balm Activations
e.l.f. Cosmetics Spotlights Its Melting Lip Balm at Coachella
Conversational Shopping Experiences
Ask Pinterest Debuts on the Ask Pinterest App
Gamified Condiment Experiences
HEINZ’s Ketchup Blast Turns Meals Interactive
Interactive AR Avocado Scans
Chipotle Launches its 'AvoLotto Lens' on Snapchat
Fashion-Inspired Coffee Events
Starbucks Partnered with NYFW2026 and Hosted a Coffeehouse Rave
Social AI Video Lenses
Snapchat Brings Photo-To-Video AI to Lens Studio
Limited-Edition Chocolate Launches
Hershey’s Debuts Winter Games Tie-In On TikTok Shop
AI Merchant Onboarding Tools
DoorDash Launches Its AI Merchant Tools
Live Social Shopping Expansions
QVC® Announces New Brands That Will Join Its Roster in 2026
Ice Cream-Sponsored Music Festivals
The Magnum Ice Cream Company Supports Coachella
Immersive Video Shopping Experiences
ASOS Live Blends Creator-Led Content with Real-Time Shopping
Social-First Local Shopping Schemes
Shop Local by Tiktok Shop Makes Homegrown Goods Accessible
Entertainment-Powered Retail Experiences
AT&T Brings Toy Story 5 to Interactive Store Activations
Industrial-Inspired Brand Events
Reitmans Reimagined its Distribution Centre for a Curated Event
Takeout-Style Serum Sets
Glow Hub’s Skin Sips to Go are Packaged Like Cups in a Carrier
Cross-Industry Insight Networks
The Think Party Explores the Future of Socialization
Experiential Fast Food Collaborations
Popeyes Turned Chicken Tenders Into a Music Venue Experience
Nostalgic Biy Milkshakes
f’real Partners with Good Humor to Launch a Customizable Beverage
Grocery-Inspired SPF Pop-Ups
Beauty of Joseon's Morning Moisturizer SPF Grocery is Experiential
Festival Beauty Activations
Medicube Brings Skincare Tech and Experiences to Coachella
Experiential Brand Stores
New Era Creates Interactive Retail Space With Custom Cap Design
Influencer-Driven Fashion Events
Pacsun Collaborated with Prominent Gen-Z Creators
Social Commerce Supplements
youtheory Expands Wellness Sales Through TikTok Shop
Shoppable AR Villages
The Snapchat Winter Village Has Three Immersive Luxury Brand Boutiques
Girl Dinner Experiences
Waverly Kitchen + Bar Curates Shareable Comfort Food Plates
AI-Enabled Takeout Services
Uber Eats AI Tools Will Help Embellish Menus for Better Visuals
Cinematic Denim Campaigns
Levi’s Enlists Shaboozey and Matty Matheson to Reimagine Western Staples
Shoppable Beauty Routine Apps
BeautyShelf Helps Users Discover Authentic Recommendations
Self-Expression Festival Activations
Barbie Brings Customizable Persona-Building to Coachella
Social Media Subscription Services
The Instagram Plus Subscription Offers Users Exclusive Features
Mobile Beauty Pop-Ups
Henkel’s göt2b Debuts a Citywide Mobile Beauty Experience
Comprehensive Fast Food Reports
Yum! Brands, Inc. Explores Food Trends Influencing the Industry
Playable Brand Universes
adidas and Brawl Stars Connect Gaming, Apparel and Live Fan Experiences
AI Influencer Platforms
Statusphere Raised $18 Million to Scale Micro-Influencer Marketing
Extra-Vibrant Soda Packs
Poppi's VIBES Party Pack Gives Favorite Flavors a Limited-Edition Look
Interactive Juice Boxes
Suntop's Mega Back to School Campaign Integrates Connected Packaging
Ephemeral Photo-Sharing Apps
Instagram Instants App Introduces Single-View 24-Hour Photos
Social Commerce Integrations
Ulta Beauty Launches a Creator-Driven TikTok Shop
Burger Ad Campaigns
Burger King’s New Campaign Suggests Even Babies Can’t Resist the Whopper
Production-Led Live Commerce Events
P.Louise Launches Get Unteddy With Me on TikTok Shop
Anti-Algorithm Social Platforms
Buzzfeed’s Branch Office Creates Interactive AI-Powered Apps
Culture-Driven Product Launches
Church’s Texas Chicken launches Churchie Sauce with a local event
Curated Discovery Stores
The Shelf Spotlights Emerging Food, Drink and Wellness Brands
Experiential Grocery Campaigns
No Name launches a multi-city grocery goss campaign
Co-Branded Shopper App Partnerships
Grubhub and Instacart Partnered to Offer a Wider Selection
Social-First Retail Commerce
Shoezone expands TikTok Shop through creator-led shopping
Curated Resale Experiences
Poshmark Blends Community Curation with Personalized Shopping
Photocopied Fast Food Campaigns
McDonald's Office Delivery Ads Scanned Popular Menu Items
Subway Station Fashion Takeovers
Reitmans Hosts its Spring 2026 Lower Bay Station Preview
Experience-Enhancing POS Retail Apps
MomentScience Reveals MomentApps
Commemorative Nostalgic Milk Campaigns
The Got Milk? Creators Launch a Commemorative Project
Experience-Enabled Franchises
Magnolia Soap & Bath Co. Uses Square to Scale Retail Experiences
Interactive Artisan Coffee Campaigns
The Illy Summer Campaign Will Immerse Consumers
Vibrant Cafeteria-Inspired Campaigns
Lunchtime Becomes a Joyous Time in 'The Lunchables Effect'
Illusory Ice Cream Pop-Ups
Häagen-Dazs Celebrated St. Patrick's Day with an O'Häagen's
Shoppable Reel Features
Meta Expands Reels with Product Tagging on Instagram and Facebook
Mobile Brand Experiences
M&M's Brings an Interactive Caravan to the Tour De France
Shoppable Recipe Collaborations
ALDI and Digitas Launch ALDIfy to Deliver Trendy Shoppable Recipes
Creativity-Celebrating Social Media Awards
The Instagram Rings Award Honors Exemplary Creators
Participatory Brand Platforms
Crown Royal Builds a Community-Driven Cultural Platform
Reimagined Creative Campaigns
Marc Jacobs Dropped its '26 Summer Campaign and New Visual Identity
Food-Inspired Street Art
Knorr's Dish Pics Campaign Replaces Unwanted, Unsavory Images
Brand-Creator Matchmaking Events
Dhar Mann Studios & Brand Innovators Hosted a Speed Dating Event
Video-First Food Ordering Experiences
CookUnity Acquired flavrs to Enhance Its Meal Service
Customized Restaurant Campaign Platforms
OpenTable Has Launched OpenTable Media
Emotional Delivery Campaigns
Shipt’s 'No Order Is Ordinary' Campaign Emphasizes Connection
Shoppable Microdramas
Crocs and SuperOrdinary Turn TikTok Storytelling Into Shopping Experiences
Localized Retail Media Platforms
Snappy Shopper Launches Connect, a Retail Media Network
Viral Bakery Reinventions
Sainsbury's Launches Dipped Croissants Inspired by Social Pastry Trends
Experience-Driven Photo Booths
Future Flicks Introduced an AI Photo Booth Feature
In-Person Creativity Cafe Campaigns
The Made in Starbucks Campaign Spotlights Customer Creativity
Branded App Takeovers
TikTok Introduces Logo Takeover Ads That Dominate the App’s Opening Screen
Nutrition Ecosystem Restaurants
Fork to Fit Kitchen links meals, fitness, and wellness tracking
Post-Game Breakfast Campaigns
McDonald's Flipped Its Ads Sideways for Super Bowl Recovery
AI-Powered Sampling Experiences
Swish is Revolutionizing How Consumers Try New Products
Interactive Content Sharing
STIK App Lets Users Publish Content Directly On Physical Products
Shoppable Cooking Platforms
Studiolink Recipe Connects Creators with Monetized Recipe Platforms
Social-First Beauty Retailers
Sally Beauty Joins TikTok Shop
Branded Motosport-Inspired Initiatives
Monster Energy Takes Over Miami for the Miami Grand Prix
Franchise Commerce Marketing
poppi Connects Retail Products with Love Island Experiences
Joyful Protein Milkshake Campaigns
Shake Ya Can by Nurri Spotlights Fun, Approachable Nutrition
Social Engagement Platforms
Sociable AI Predicts Viral Posts And Generates Brand Aligned Comments
In-Store Creator Commerce
Mac Cosmetics Turns Retail Employees into Live-Streaming Creators
Focused Fashion Feeds
Clone Helps You Stay Updated with Fashion Trends Sustainably
Shopping-Friendly Ad Formats
Equativ Shoppable Ads Allow Consumers to Seamlessly Make Purchases
Professional Networking Platforms
SPILL Brings Cultural Conversations To Professional Networking
Attention Economy Agencies
VaynerX Launches Tamara Group to Drive Social-First Brand Relevance
Social Food Delivery Apps
The 'Zesty' App from DoorDash Helps Users Find New Restaurants
Shoppable Swimsuits
Sports Illustrated Launches Its Shoppable Swimsuits
Discovery-Driven Beverage Programs
Dog Haus Expands Drinks Into a Menu Exploration Platform
City-Focused Influencer Platforms
Storytime Launches Storytime Marketplace in Cities
Social-to-Outdoor Campaigns
Tribesigns Extends TikTok's Super Wish Campaign to Times Square
AI-Powered Voice Effects
Instagram Voice Effects Turn Conversations into Content
AI-Powered Creator Platforms
Android Added Advanced Mobile Editing and Creator Tools
Food-Focused Social Platforms
Flavorist Expands Flavorist Food App Access to the General Public
Instant Commerce Dessert Drops
Gopuff Launches Selena Gomez’s Exclusive Ice Cream Bars
Interactive Streaming Ads
Spotify Turns Listening into Engagement with Carousel Ads
Mobile Creator Experiences
Nikon Connects Creators Through Interactive Multi-City Events
IP-Based Kids Games
Netflix Turns Shows into Play Experiences
Seasonal Reservation Street Installations
Uber UK Launches 'Reserve' by Mother
In-Store Retail Media Networks
Raley's Expands Shopper Advertising Through Grocery TV
Social Media-Inspired Streaming Apps
The Netflix App Feed Will Introduce a TikTok-Like Style
Local Story Creators
Word oh Mouth Lets Users Share Experiences And Support Local Businesses
Retail Beverage Experiences
The Paper Store Uses Custom Drink Stations to Boost Engagement
Expressive App Icons
The Instagram Teen Icons Deliver Vibrant Customization for Younger Users
Phygital Loyalty Experiences
Lush Links App Rewards to In-Store Events and Services
Product Discovery Communities
MillionShip Turns Product Discovery Into A Playful Experiences
Social Media Sticker Tools
Instagram Comment Sticker Generator Creates Engaging Reply Stickers
Conversational AI Advertising
Snapchat Introduces AI-Powered Chat-Based Brand Interactions
Performance-Based Creator Platforms
Picsart Earn Program Pays Creators Based on Engagement
Local Restaurant Activations
Pepsi Hosts Community Events to Drive Restaurant Discovery
In-Store Ad Networks
ISM Powers Programmatic Advertising Across Retail Locations
Integrated Drive-Thru Payment Platforms
Square for Drive-Thru Aims to Reduce QSR Wait Times
Creative Photo Communities
Join the Ad-Free Creative Photo Network Built Into Hipstamatic
Local Shop Portrait Campaigns
Coca-Cola Highlights Bosses Campaign Celebrating 125 Years in UK
Marketplace Showrooms
StockX Combines Shopping, Seller Services and Community Events in New York
Social Media Design Tools
Graphionica Makes It Easy To Create Stylish Instagram Stories & Visuals
Purpose-Led Emerging Brands Initiatives
7-Eleven Taps 27 Brands for Its 2026 Brands with Heart™
User-Generated Review Features
TikTok Integrates the New TikTok Shop Review Network
AI-Powered Animation Tools
Facebook Adds AI-Powered Animation And Restyle Tools
Creative Media Automation
InstaPhotoAI Generates Custom AI Images And Videos With Flexible Tools
Retail Conversation Marketing Campaigns
Tesco Launches 'Need Anything From Tesco' Platform
Social Sharing Tools
Social Plus Expands Your Reach With Shared Posts Across Platforms
Editable Comment Features
Instagram Adds 15-Minute Comment Editing Option