In May 2021, Instagram announced (on Twitter, ironically) that users can add gender identity pronouns to their profiles. The optional pronouns appear in light gray text next to a user’s name above their bio. The change was a boon to those who already have packed Instagram bios—which are limited to 150 characters—not to mention a step toward greater inclusion on the social media platform.
Add pronouns to your profile ✨
— Instagram (@instagram) May 11, 2021
The new field is available in a few countries, with plans for more. pic.twitter.com/02HNSqc04R
How to add pronouns to your Instagram profile
Follow these steps to add pronouns to your Instagram profile:
- In the Instagram app, tap the profile tab in the button bar at the bottom of the screen.
- On your profile page, tap “Edit Profile.”
- Tap the “Pronouns” field.
- On the next screen in the “Add your pronouns” field, begin typing your pronouns. Note that while you can type whatever you want, Instagram will limit you to choosing among the suggested pronouns that come up (so that users can’t type non-pronoun text in the new pronoun portion of their bio).
- After you’ve selected up to four pronouns, you can toggle the switch below to choose between letting everyone who views your profile see your pronouns or only allowing your followers to view your pronouns.
- Tap the “Done” button and your pronouns will now appear on your Instagram bio next to your name.
Which pronouns Instagram lets you pick
There are more than 40 supported pronouns in the current list, but Instagram also has a dedicated pronouns request page where users can offer suggestions of other pronouns that they would like to be included in the options.
In English, you can choose between options including:
- co / cos
- e / ey / em / eir
- fae / faer / faers
- he / him / his
- she / her / hers
- hir / hirs
- it / its
- mer / mers
- ne / nir / nirs
- nee / ner / ners
- per / pers
- they / them / theirs
- thon / thons
- ve / ver / vis
- vi / vir
- xe / xem / xyr
- ze / zie / zir
You can also toggle to pick pronouns in Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Indonesian, Turkish, Arabic, Farsi, Norwegian, Finnish, Danish, Dutch, or Swedish.
Instagram began rolling out its pronouns feature to users in select countries (the company didn’t announce which ones), but also shared that the feature would subsequently be extended to users in more countries.
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