Ever noticed people adding she/her, he/him, or they/them to their Instagram bios and wondered why it matters?
Pronouns on Instagram aren’t just another profile setting—they’re part of how people express identity, feel seen, and create safer spaces online. With the Instagram pronouns feature, the platform is making room for more inclusive self-expression, while also giving creators and brands a clearer way to connect authentically.
Let’s walk through how Instagram pronouns work, why they matter, and how you can add them to your profile and does it have any connection to Instagram influencers and influencer marketing?
Table of Contents
- What Are Pronouns on Instagram?
- How to Add Pronouns to Your Profile
- Privacy Settings for Pronouns
- Regional Availability
- Pronouns and Brand Inclusivity
- Why Pronouns Matter
- What does this mean for influencer marketing?
- FAQs
- Final Thoughts
What Are Pronouns on Instagram?
Grammatically, pronouns are words that replace nouns. We typically use them to refer to people we’ve already mentioned in a conversation. For example, if you’re talking about your sister Sarah, you might call her “she” instead of constantly repeating her name.
Many languages, including English, have different pronouns for different genders. We refer to a woman as “she” and a man as “he.” This means you have to know the gender of the person you’re referring to in order to know which pronoun to use.
But most of the time, we determine someone’s gender by their outward appearance. For cisgender people (people whose gender expression matches the gender they were assigned at birth), this doesn’t tend to be an issue. I’m a cis woman, and no one has ever misgendered me.
But for people whose identities don’t fit with traditional gender roles and stereotypes, these types of determinations can lead to misgendering. And misgendering someone—for example, using the wrong pronouns—can be hurtful.
According to the LGBTQIA Resource Center at the University of California Davis, “By assuming someone’s pronouns based on how they look, one is implicitly reinforcing harmful stereotypes about gender expression. For example, that masculine-looking people always use he/him/his pronouns.”
One way to fight against these stereotypes and the harm they can cause is to openly share your pronouns and to ask others about theirs when in doubt. If you’re not sure what pronouns someone prefers, you can simply ask them, “What are your pronouns?
How to Add Pronouns to Your Instagram Profile
To start, the feature isn’t yet available to everyone. So if you try to add your pronouns but can’t find the place to do so, the feature may not have rolled out for your location yet.
You can add up to four pronouns, which you’ll have to choose from a list including she, he, they, ze and more. Instagram won’t let users simply type in whatever they want in an effort to stop people from entering inappropriate words. Users can, however, request pronouns that don’t appear in the app’s list.
Once entered, the pronouns appear on the user’s profile next to their name. If a user decides they want to remove their pronouns, they can do so at any time.
Adding pronouns to Instagram is quick and optional. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to share pronouns on Instagram:
- Go to your Instagram profile
- Tap Edit Profile
- Select Pronouns
- Choose your pronouns from the available list
- Adjust visibility settings (who can see them)
- Save your changes
Once added, your pronouns will appear directly on your profile—without taking up bio space.
Privacy Settings for Pronouns
Instagram gives users full control over pronoun visibility. You can:
- Show pronouns to everyone
- Limit visibility to followers only
- Remove pronouns at any time
This flexibility is important, especially for users who may not feel safe sharing pronouns publicly in every context.
Regional Availability
The Instagram pronouns feature isn’t available everywhere yet. It’s being rolled out gradually across regions.
If you don’t see the option:
- Make sure your Instagram app is fully updated
- Try switching your app language to English (US)
- Check again under Profile → Edit Profile
Availability may vary by country, including the US, India, and parts of Europe.
Pronouns and Brand Inclusivity
For brands working with influencers, pronouns are more than a profile detail—they’re a trust signal.
Based on what we’ve seen with creators and brands on Heepsy:
- Inclusive profiles often feel more authentic to audiences
- Pronouns help brands identify creators aligned with their values
- Clear identity signals reduce friction in communication and collaboration
When brands prioritize inclusivity—from influencer discovery to campaign briefs—it strengthens long-term relationships and audience credibility.
If you’re building inclusive campaigns, these resources may help:
- How to contact Instagram influencers
- Influencer tiers on Instagram
- How to write an influencer brief
- Instagram metrics that matter
- How to vet influencers
Why Pronouns Matter on Instagram
Pronouns may seem like a minor detail, but they carry real meaning especially online.
Here’s why the Instagram pronouns feature matters:
- Respecting identity
Pronouns acknowledge how someone wants to be referred to, without forcing explanations. - Creating safer digital spaces
Visibility helps normalize gender diversity and reduces misgendering. - Supporting gender-diverse communities
For non-binary, transgender, and gender-nonconforming users, pronouns aren’t optional—they’re essential. - A signal of allyship
When creators and brands use pronouns thoughtfully, it shows inclusivity in action, not just words.
For brands, this matters more than ever. Audiences—especially Gen Z—expect values to show up clearly and consistently across social platforms.
Some would say this feature is actually overdue. Many Instagram users had already been including their pronouns in their profile biography. And this wasn’t true only of people who may face being misgendered. Many cisgender people also chose to include their pronouns on their social media profiles even before Instagram announced the feature, in attempt to show solidarity with their non-cis peers.
LGBTQ+ activists argue that when cisgender people share their pronouns, it helps to normalize discussions about gender. This benefits everyone, they say, but especially helps marginalized groups like transgendered youth.
According to the Trevor Project, 41% of trans youth has attempted suicide. Being conscious of pronouns is one small way we can work towards making everyone feel included. And sharing your own pronouns can help advance this change.
In December 2020, Oscar-nominated actor Elliot Page came out as trans, saying that his pronouns are he/they. In an Instagram post, Elliot said he felt joyous to share his identity, but also drew attention to high rates of violence against trans people.
And this past Wednesday, Grammy-winning singer Demi Lovato declared they are non-binary and has changed their pronouns to they/them. Demi announced this via a video on their Twitter and Youtube. She also sat down with Alok Vaid-Menon, an author, actor, and voice in the non-binary community.
Demi said in a tweet, “This has come after a lot of healing & self-reflective work. I’m still learning & coming into myself, & I don’t claim to be an expert or a spokesperson. Sharing this with you now opens another level of vulnerability for me.”
In addition to celebrities addressing the issue of pronouns, there have been some other noticeable changes as well. The White House website now lets you choose your pronouns when using its contact form. You can choose from she/her, he/him, they/them, other, or prefer not to share.
Finally, although many people are already sharing their pronouns on social media, you should only do so when you feel ready. Revealing your pronouns is an individual process and decision. Do what feels right for you when it’s right for you.
What does this mean for influencer marketing?
This new Instagram feature could have various effects on influencer marketing. First, one practical change is that when marketers want to reach out to influencers, they’ll be able to more easily understand what pronouns they prefer. This may lead to more comfortable communications between brands and influencers.
Next, Instagram will now be able to derive data on gender representation on their platform. And with the different pronouns options the feature offers, this data won’t include only male or female. This could lead to new studies about social media use across various gender identities.
Finally, for brands who pledge to be LGBTQ+ allies and work toward gender inclusion, the pronouns feature offers you another chance to make sure that you are including diverse influencers in your marketing campaigns. You can now more easily see that you have representation from a wide range of gender identities, each who can approach your campaign with their unique experience and insight.
FAQs
Why do pronouns matter on Instagram?
They help create respectful, inclusive communication and reduce assumptions about gender identity.
Can I remove or change my pronouns later?
Yes. Pronouns can be edited or removed anytime from your profile settings.
Are pronouns mandatory on Instagram?
No. The feature is completely optional.
Do pronouns affect Instagram engagement?
Indirectly, yes. Clear identity signals can improve authenticity and audience trust, which often leads to stronger engagement.
Conclusion
Instagram seems to be adding in various new features these days. And while some features are more business-oriented, the pronouns feature will make it easier for people to share their gender expression, and it offers cis people an easy way to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. And when brands want to find influencers of diverse identities, pronouns will help them do so more easily.
As Instagram continues to evolve, features like this show how social platforms can shape more thoughtful, human-centered digital spaces.
