We’ve seen it on Instagram–an obscure account with thrice the number of photos than it has followers, an icon meant to impress no one, and a bio description that consists of an inside joke.
Dump accounts, or more popularly known as finsta (a portmanteau of the words fake and Instagram), have actually been around since late 2015, ever since Instagram rolled out its easily accessible account-switching tab. However, it’s only been a year now since I’ve noticed the rising trend begin to sway the people in my campus to make finstas of their own.
Even so, it has yet to transpire into the mainstream. So, what is a dump account?
Dump accounts are pretty self-explanatory–it’s where you dump a large sum of photos in one account. This could range from one to multiple posts a day. Every social media savvy person knows that when a person uploads too frequently on their main Instagram account it usually warrants eye rolls from followers. This is where finstas come in, where you are given all the leeway to constantly journal incidents in your life without being overbearing or irritating.
What is posted in a dump account is not meant to be viewed by all. In here, we post photos that don’t quite make it to our main feed. Sometimes, we just want to share something online without having your acquaintances or relatives question your sanity. Screenshots of text conversations, memes, and embarrassing drunk pictures also go here. To an extent, it’s an even more unfiltered version of a Snapchat story (because let’s face it–how often do we really post a Snap in one take?).
Funnily enough, there’s nothing “fake” about finstas.
In main Instragram accounts, we present this public persona/image in order to bring out the best versions of ourselves. In it are photos food porn, modeled outfits, vacation pictures, and scenic views–all beautifully curated and some even color-coded to present the perfect feed. God knows how many shots it took to get those Instagram-worthy posts.
Handlers of finstas and dump accounts, on the other hand, practice follower curation. Most, if not all, finstas are protected or locked, which means only a selective few (usually a following with no more than two digits) are able to view their content.
Interestingly, those who own one often end up neglecting their main account. It seems that they too are tired of keeping up a certain image. Some just grow tired of finding the perfect shot, shifting their focus instead to expressing themselves. Today, social media is no longer a new and foreign concept to us. There is no vital need to make an impression anymore–at least, not as effortful and critical as people did back in the day.
Ultimately, finstas and dump accounts are not meant to impress anyone. It’s about deconstructing walls, removing filters, and sharing little, minute moments of every day that make up an entire lifetime.
Do you own a finsta/dump account as well? What’s your reason for creating one? Let us know in the comments below!
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at story.wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at our WhenInManila.com Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community at WIM Squad! Join our Viber group to be updated with the latest news!
What Finstas and Dump Accounts Say About Us
Words by Micah Avry Guiao
We’ve seen it on Instagram–an obscure account with thrice the number of photos than it has followers, an icon meant to impress no one, and a bio description that consists of an inside joke.
Dump accounts, or more popularly known as finsta (a portmanteau of the words fake and Instagram), have actually been around since late 2015, ever since Instagram rolled out its easily accessible account-switching tab. However, it’s only been a year now since I’ve noticed the rising trend begin to sway the people in my campus to make finstas of their own.
Even so, it has yet to transpire into the mainstream. So, what is a dump account?
Dump accounts are pretty self-explanatory–it’s where you dump a large sum of photos in one account. This could range from one to multiple posts a day. Every social media savvy person knows that when a person uploads too frequently on their main Instagram account it usually warrants eye rolls from followers. This is where finstas come in, where you are given all the leeway to constantly journal incidents in your life without being overbearing or irritating.
What is posted in a dump account is not meant to be viewed by all. In here, we post photos that don’t quite make it to our main feed. Sometimes, we just want to share something online without having your acquaintances or relatives question your sanity. Screenshots of text conversations, memes, and embarrassing drunk pictures also go here. To an extent, it’s an even more unfiltered version of a Snapchat story (because let’s face it–how often do we really post a Snap in one take?).
Funnily enough, there’s nothing “fake” about finstas.
In main Instragram accounts, we present this public persona/image in order to bring out the best versions of ourselves. In it are photos food porn, modeled outfits, vacation pictures, and scenic views–all beautifully curated and some even color-coded to present the perfect feed. God knows how many shots it took to get those Instagram-worthy posts.
Handlers of finstas and dump accounts, on the other hand, practice follower curation. Most, if not all, finstas are protected or locked, which means only a selective few (usually a following with no more than two digits) are able to view their content.
Interestingly, those who own one often end up neglecting their main account. It seems that they too are tired of keeping up a certain image. Some just grow tired of finding the perfect shot, shifting their focus instead to expressing themselves. Today, social media is no longer a new and foreign concept to us. There is no vital need to make an impression anymore–at least, not as effortful and critical as people did back in the day.
Ultimately, finstas and dump accounts are not meant to impress anyone. It’s about deconstructing walls, removing filters, and sharing little, minute moments of every day that make up an entire lifetime.
Do you own a finsta/dump account as well? What’s your reason for creating one? Let us know in the comments below!
About The Author
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at story.wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at our WhenInManila.com Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community at WIM Squad! Join our Viber group to be updated with the latest news!
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