2024 Instagram Generative AI Insights: Leveraging Gen Z Trends for Business Growth

Carolina D
3 min readJan 18, 2024

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In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, Instagram is set to be the epicenter of Gen Z’s cultural influence in 2024. Today, the 2024 Instagram Generative AI Insights, in collaboration with WGSN, reveals the key trends that will shape global culture in the coming year. From sustainable fashion to meaningful connections, here’s a deep dive into how new businesses can harness the power of Generative AI to take advantage of Gen Z’s evolving preferences and increase Instagram followers for significant benefits.

Sustainable Fashion and Beauty: Expressing Individuality with Purpose. In 2024, Gen Z is turning the tide on fashion and beauty, with a resounding call for sustainability.

The Top Sustainable Fashion Practices are a testament to a shift in consumer behavior, emphasizing the importance of mindful choices in clothing:
1. Buy Less New Clothes
2. Repeating Outfits
3. Shopping Local
4. Thrifting and/or shopping secondhand online

Global fashion trends for 2024 echo this commitment to sustainability:
1. Modest Dressing
2. Thrifting, Vintage, Heirloom
3. Repeating outfits for sustainability
4. Wearing clothes in unexpected ways
5. DIY

Individuality takes center stage, with nearly one-third of Gen Z expressing their desire to get more creative with their dressing. The ‘core’ aesthetic becomes a guiding principle, with a focus on comfort and self-expression.

The beauty landscape witnesses a transformation, with a new hairstyle emerging as the favorite beauty tip learned from social media. Shaved eyebrows, once a trend, are now considered outdated, making way for the rise of fragrance creators and the quest for a signature scent.

Social Media: Prioritizing Meaningful Connections and Increasing Instagram Followers. In 2024, Gen Z is all about quality over quantity when it comes to social media. Prioritizing meaningful connections, the platform serves as a tool to stay close to friends and family while keeping up with trends in fashion, music, and tech.

The top ways Gen Z uses Instagram to connect include liking stories, sharing reels or memes in DMs, and engaging with posts on feeds. Leveraging Generative AI to understand and adapt to these preferences is crucial for new businesses looking to establish a strong presence on the platform and increase Instagram followers, leading to enhanced brand visibility and engagement.

Dating and Friendship: Redefining Priorities with Increased Instagram Followers. With 63% of Gen Z identifying as single, the focus shifts to strengthening existing relationships in 2024. Instagram handles become the new phone numbers, with 28% exchanging them after meeting someone new.

The top ‘icks’ include chewing with the mouth open and following exes on Instagram, emphasizing the importance of social media etiquette. For new businesses, understanding and aligning with these cultural norms through Generative AI can foster positive engagement and connection-building, ultimately resulting in increased Instagram followers and a broader audience reach.

Lifestyle: A Year of Growth and Self-Improvement with Increased Instagram Followers. 2024 marks Gen Z’s growth era, with self-improvement and development topping the priority list. Self-employment emerges as the preferred path to wealth for one in three Gen Z individuals.

Priorities for the year include staying healthy, exploring career paths, and traveling. Leveraging Generative AI to tailor products or services that align with these aspirations can be a strategic move for new businesses looking to cater to the evolving needs of Gen Z and, in turn, increase Instagram followers, establishing a loyal and engaged customer base.

Food, Celebrities, and Activism: A Holistic Approach with Increased Instagram Followers. Gen Z’s diverse interests extend to food, with a keen interest in trying trending vegan products and plant-based meats. The fandom culture thrives, with 75% belonging to fan armies, spanning TV shows/anime, musicians, and video games.

Engaging with celebrities through Instagram DMs becomes a prevalent way for Gen Z to show support and appreciation. For new businesses, understanding the dynamics of these fan communities through Generative AI can guide influencer collaborations and marketing strategies, leading to increased Instagram followers and heightened brand advocacy.

The insights from the 2024 Instagram Generative AI report highlight the pivotal role Instagram plays in shaping Gen Z’s cultural narrative. For new businesses, embracing Generative AI is not just a technological advancement but a strategic move to stay connected, understand individuality, and actively participate in the global conversation that defines the generation, ultimately resulting in increased Instagram followers and numerous benefits for business growth.

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Carolina D

Digital Marketer - Business marketing strategy builder- Increasing business Sales. content creator.