Instagram continues ‘Creators Of Tomorrow’ tradition with new list of culture drivers

For the second year in a row, Instagram is drawing attention to some of its most impactful Reels stars. The Meta-owned platform has highlighted 24 tastemakers — including Keith Lee, Jesser, Fuslie, Katie Feeney, and Landen Purifoy — by publishing its 2023 Creators of Tomorrow list.

The Creators of Tomorrow are separated into five categories. Short-form innovators like Jesser and Katie Feeney are two of the names in the “IG Besties” category, though YouTube might have an opinion about that. Lee can be found among a quintet of creators who are “Raising the Bar” with their accomplishments. Lee’s influence over the food world has become so strong that his visit to Atlanta sent shockwaves through the local dining scene.

Purifoy, a musical creator who runs one of the most-watched channels in the world, is one of four Creators of Tomorrow in the “Unfiltered Creativity” category. Instagram rounds out its list with a rundown of fast risers who are putting themselves “On the Map” in areas like comedy, art, and acting.

Instagram’s Creators of Tomorrow blog post includes the full list of the latest class. “The Creators of Tomorrow

have been selected for bringing joy, being voices of a movement, using tech innovatively, and being culture makers,” reads the post. “Most importantly, they raise the game on Instagram by building community, inspiring creativity, and being their authentic selves.”

The Creators of Tomorrow will also be featured in content on Instagram’s @creators account. In the coming weeks, that hub will feature regional creator lists from countries around the world.

Meta first named its Creators of Tomorrow in 2022, one year after TikTok recognized its own culture drivers with its inaugural Discover List. There was some overlap between the two companies’ chosen honorees. Assuming TikTok brings back the Discover List, we’ll see if that trend continues into 2023.