Instagram Archives

How to take the perfect profile pic for social media sites

Your profile picture is more important than you might think. It’s your chance to make a good first impression on the world. That’s why you must know how to take the perfect profile picture for all your accounts.

Say you’re applying for a new job. Potential employers will run background checks on your social media presence. You need to have good pictures that show you at your best.

You might even want to run a check on yourself to get an idea of what other people are seeing. Here’s how to run a free background check on yourself. Here are a few ways to improve your LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram profile picture.

A few ways to look better on LinkedIn

This is incredibly important because it gives employers an idea of what you’ll look like at work. Choose a picture that shows how competent, influential and likable you are.

Not sure how that comes across in a picture? Just upload your LinkedIn profile picture to Photofeeler, a free picture rating website. Strangers will let you know how you come across.

Instead of uploading a picture with a toothy grin, take a professional photo with a slight smile. You want to look friendly without showing too much enthusiasm. Also, use a picture that has a blurred background so the person viewing your profile can focus on your face.

How to take the perfect profile picture for Facebook

Family shots are a great option. After all, Facebook is all about connecting with other people, so it makes sense to pick a photo of you with loved ones. Just make sure you’re the focal point of the picture.

Improve your look on Instagram

We recommend picking an action-oriented photograph. Show yourself doing something you love. For example, if you like surfing, show yourself riding those waves.

Instagram is more personal than LinkedIn and less family-oriented than Facebook. It’s okay to let your hair down a little. Just make sure you don’t get too comfortable, or you might put off employers.

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PSA: Stop sharing your phone’s address book with apps that ask for it

Whether posting a headshot on your LinkedIn profile or uploading a photo to your favorite social media platform, you want to look your best. Anybody can use a camera, but it takes some practice to take a good shot. Tap or click here for five simple tricks to look better in family photos and selfies.

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So, you unwrapped something techy and you’re already having trouble. Before searching online for help, know it’s dangerous to Google tech company phone numbers.

Scammers work the system to get spoofed websites and numbers as the top search results via ads. Instead of waiting for a response to an online form, try calling the manufacturer or tech company directly. I’ve included links below in case you’d rather use a contact form or chat service:

Amazon: 888-280-4331; Amazon website
Microsoft: 800-642-7676; Microsoft support
Apple: 800-275-2273; Apple support
Google: 650-253-0000; Google support
Meta: 650-543-4800 (Heads-up: It’s hard to get someone to answer); Facebook support, Instagram support
Roku: 816-272-8106; Roku support
Samsung: 800-726-7864; Samsung support
PayPal: 888-221-1161; PayPal support

An older CEO, long past retirement, called IT for support. He asked, “How can I print this document?” IT said, “All you need to do is Ctrl + P.” The CEO replied, “I haven’t been able to do that for years!” (I heard you laugh!)

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Instagram is hiding your political posts

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Sharing your political opinions online? Guess what — social media might be making sure no one sees them. Plus, 6G is here and it’s blazing fast, Toy Story gets real, and AI revives a woman’s voice. Kim also chats with Hear.com Co-Founder Paul Crusius about how he’s transforming hearing care.
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Red Note is No. 1 in the App Store: It’s kind of like Instagram but with a Pinterest-style layout and 300 million monthly active members. Why is it suddenly so popular? TikTok creators who are worried their audiences will evaporate with the possible ban don’t realize this app is also Communist China-owned, too. D’oh.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned: Singer Lily Allen went undercover on celebrity dating app Raya to figure out if her husband, David Harbour, was cheating on her. He was. She found his profile by setting her preference to women, then cross-referencing the women on the app to his following on Instagram. That’s skill.

Don’t worry, she woke up: Instagram influencer Victoria Rose (aka @woahvicky) faked her own kidnapping. She posted bogus ransom notes to her 3.5 million followers, then called it a prank because she was “bored.” Her followers weren’t laughing, and she wrote them a terrible apology. What a narcissist.

Growing your side hustle? Switch your Instagram account to a Business profile to add shopping links to your posts, run ads and lots more. From your profile, tap Edit profile > Switch to professional account.

Travel gram: Meet 94-year-old Joy Ryan. She’s on a journey to visit every continent with her grandson, and she didn’t even get her passport until she was 91. She’s the oldest person to visit all 63 U.S. national parks, too. I hope she got the senior discount! Follow her journey on Instagram. It’s amazing!

#BigChange for Instagram: As of today, you can no longer follow a hashtag (e.g., #healthycooking). Instagram pulled the plug, saying its hashtags are a mess of spam, bots and irrelevant posts. Try the “Explore” tab instead.

The best times to post on Instagram

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Want your posts to go viral? Timing is everything! Here are the best times to share your content and watch your engagement soar.
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Would Jesus be on social media?

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So, would Jesus be on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter? This thought-provoking question comes from The Church of England, which set out to find the answer.
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Instagram is turning into a porn site

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The Wall Street Journal uncovered that, within minutes of first logging in, Instagram regularly recommends sexual videos to minors who have shown interest in racy content. Here’s the latest.
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Tesla's in trouble, big trouble

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Tesla sales are plummeting, and 14,000 workers have been laid off. Plus, Google unveils a ChatGPT rival, FTC scams skyrocket, and Instagram blurs unsolicited nudes. Struggling with sleep? I’ve got a pro phone tip that will help.
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Blocking nudes isn't the answer

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Instagram has a new tactic to stop unsolicited pics. Why it falls short in this brief podcast.
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Ayatollah's Instagram and Facebook account

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Social media accounts for terrorists? I have the news in this short podcast.
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Download your entire Instagram catalogue

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Want to get rid of your Instagram? Here’s what you should do first, in one minute.
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Your router's dirty data secrets, Tesla’s Cybertruck debut & organizing photo secrets

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Plus, is your info on the Dark Web? I’ll explain how to check. Also, I give my trusty advice to a gal sick of pricey cable. And Instagram’s big update, smart sprinklers can save you big bucks and the best tech for caregivers. For those of you in rural areas, slick ways to boost your Wi-Fi.
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Deepfake CEO scam, spot fake reviews & Marvel superhero workout app

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Plus, misdial 911? Hold the phone – I’ll explain why it’s costly to hang up. Allie has ways to stake your claim in Facebook’s $725 million settlement, and don’t miss Matt’s ridiculous story about a naked Instagram cat. And there’s also a hilarious joke!
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The best times to post on Instagram

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Want to be a top influencer? It’s not all glitz and glam. Discover the real work behind becoming a popular influencer, in one minute.
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