Last Updated on 06/28/2018 by Mark Beckenbach
A study reveals the top 10 Instagram filters that everyone uses to spice up their feed
Everyone on Instagram knows that filters are the name of the game. It’s not enough to take pictures that have interesting elements or impressive composition. You have to slap one (or one after another) to make your snaps as eye-catching as possible. Only then will you start to gain likes, comments, and followers. If you’re new to the game and have no idea yet which filter to use, you may want to refer to the top 10 most used Instagram filters as found in a study by Iconosquare.
With over 40 native filters to choose from, you’ll either have fun discovering which look best fits your style, or you’ll get all confused about where to start. If the latter is the case for you, it might help to start with the most popular (and likely most effective) Instagram filters today. Using a database of 790,000 Instagrammers, Instagram marketing platform Iconosquare has put together a list of the top 10 to give you a headstart.
#1: Normal
#2: Clarendon
#3: Juno
#4: Ludwig
#5: Lark
#6: Gingham
#7: Lo-fi
#8: Aden
#9. Valencia
#10: X-Pro II
These findings give us some interesting insights, as well as clues about the looks that many Instagram users go for. First, there’s the unexpected Normal topping the list, which could only suggest two things: either there are a lot of users confident with their #NoFilter mobile photography skills, or most people are editing their photos using popular apps like VSCO. Then, there’s also a variety of subtle effects that made it to the list, such as Clarendon (which “cools down” the photos for perfect selfies), Lark (which creates a slightly brighter and washed out look), and Gingham (which warms up and adds haze to the shot). Meanwhile, we also see the more noticeable effects of Juno (increases vividness and contrast), Ludwig, (saturates red and desaturates the rest), Aden (for “softening” bold photos and creating a retro look), and Valencia (for warming up the entire photo). But of course, the list also has some filters from the other end of the spectrum, with Lo-fi (intensifies shadows and increases saturation) and X-Pro II (transforms a photo into a high-contrast, heavily vignetted photo that emulates the look of cross-processed film).
Alongside these results, Iconosquare also gave a word of caution: Instagram filters CAN give you great results if you know how to use them. As long as you don’t go overboard, mix them up, and use them sparingly, you’re good.
Don’t forget to check out the Iconosquare blog post to read more about the results of their study.