What is a finsta? Everything to know

Ever heard of the slang term “finsta”? It is a portmanteau of the words fake and Instagram. The term “finsta” first entered the online Urban Dictionary in 2015, and it wasn’t until 2017 that the trend gained traction, and accounts were made.

As you might have already noticed, since Instagram took off as one of the most popular social media platforms, it is used to present or advertise a perfect, ideal life even if it is all a staged setup and a poor representation of reality.

Finstas are supposed to be the opposite of that. Think of it as the kids’ secret second account on Instagram. No filters, weird angles, impromptu pictures that the owner of the finsta wouldn’t otherwise post in their regular Instagram, lest it ruins the aesthetic of their page. If you want to know more about finstas or want to make your own, read on below.

Instagram Trends

From foodstagram to fitspiration to OOTDs to WCW to FBF and a thousand other hashtags that have trended all over Instagram, it is the place to be if you want to see the pretty side of life. These trends are sometimes passing while others have been around for almost as long as Instagram has been.

These many trends have not always had a happy effect on the general populace. Instagram has evolved into becoming a platform to show who has the perfect life. It has led other users to think their life is not worth anything if they don’t have the same picture-perfect life as their favorite influencer. A second fake Instagram account may not be such a bad idea if it counters and challenges the idea of an “Insta-worthy” life.

Why fake Instagram or finsta is getting more popular

A finsta isn’t restricted to a certain age group. Although many people who have finstas are teens and young adults, anyone can make and have them. There are several reasons why finstas are getting more popular. For one, it’s akin to having an online diary with an audience that you have carefully selected.

Finsta is not fake

Quite the opposite. The biggest thing about finstas is that they are private accounts. You can handpick who follows you and who you follow on your finsta. This way, all your unedited “I just woke up” selfies, unlimited dog pictures, and whatever else you think randomly posting can only be seen by your secret, close finsta friends. A finsta account allows you to be more authentic — to show people that you can be funny, beautiful, and unfiltered

Finsta vs. Rinsta

A rinsta is a real Instagram, whereas a finsta is a fake Instagram. As mentioned before, your rinsta is the one you show to the world. Sometimes, the account is made public. Other times, a rinsta is private but still curated to look somewhat presentable to a group of friends and acquaintances. A finsta is a little more private; just how private is up to you. Most finstas have less than a hundred followers, depending on the owner.

Finstas are beneficial

Not only are finstas getting more popular, but they are also somewhat therapeutic. They can alleviate the pressure many Instagram users always feel to look, dress, and appear perfect. Finstas are a way to express yourself without worries of being judged for not looking or dressing a certain way. They are a good outlet for vulnerable people who just want to let out how they feel but are too insecure, scared, or anxious. Finstas can be their virtual escape.

How to make a finsta

Creating a finsta account is pretty straightforward, and you just make another Instagram account under a different username. You will need some sort of information that Instagram can verify, such as your email or phone number. You want to make sure that no other social media account is linked to your finsta if you want it as private as possible.

If you want step-by-step directions, first, open the Instagram app. Go to your account and find the Settings option. Choose “Add Account” and then “Sign Up” to create a new account for your finsta. Input whatever information is needed and click Create New Account. Once your finsta is ready, you can set it to private, start following people, and then start posting.

Choosing your finsta username

When creating your fake Instagram account, you want to be as creative as possible. Depending on how much you want to keep the account private, you might want to keep the name as far away from your real one. You can use nicknames, your dog’s name, a pun, your favorite quote, your childhood best friend, or whatever other names you fancy using.

Finsta and Facebook

In 2012, Facebook executive Mark Zuckerberg bought Instagram for $1 billion. Nowadays, when you create an Instagram account, you can directly share your post from your Instagram to your Facebook account if you link the two together.

If you’re using your finsta, you might want to avoid doing this as you might post something by accident on Facebook where your friends and family can see it. No worries though, as long as you don’t link one to the other, you should be fine.

How to run and use a finsta

Finstas don’t necessarily have rules or need them, for that matter. The opposite goes — there are no rules in using your fake Instagram account. Think of it as an escape from the pressure of societal norms.

Instead of posting a nice vacation photo of you on the beach, you can post the cola rum you’ve been sipping since 9 am. Share all the food posts, pet selfies, throwback photos, and sunset pics you want.

Age limit for finsta users

While most finsta users are in the age range of teens to early 20s, anyone can be a finsta user. Having a fake Instagram account, just like having a “real” one, is open to everybody. Social media is always recommended for people ages 18 and above for legal reasons. Finstas are just like any other social media platform but can be more honest and open because of their purpose.

Finstagramming in 2021

While finstas are fun, they can get a bit out of control. Due to its private nature, there have been many cases where young adults have been caught posting things online they should not have. Some incidents include underage drinking, illegal substances, bullying, and other bad results of using finstas in extremes.

That doesn’t mean you should avoid finstas like the plague if you don’t already have one. As long as you use your fake Instagram account responsibly, you should be able to enjoy its benefits. You and your friends can follow each other’s finstas and just blast using social media as the responsible, consenting adults you are.