The Ultimate Guide to Instagram Roasting in 2025
Everything you need to know about Instagram roasting culture, from beginner basics to advanced techniques
What is Instagram Roasting?
Instagram roasting is a form of playful, humorous criticism where users create funny, exaggerated jokes about someone's profile, content, or personality. It's typically done in good fun between friends and has become a major part of Gen Z social media culture, with 78% of users participating in roasting activities.
Key Takeaways
- •Instagram roasting is a $2.3B content creation industry with 450M+ users exposed
- •78% of Gen Z users have participated in Instagram roasting
- •The psychology of roasting shows it strengthens friendships (92% of participants)
- •7 distinct roasting styles exist: Savage, Friendly, Shakespearean, Gen-Z, Wholesome, Sarcastic, and Observational
- •AI-powered roasting tools saw 1,200% growth in 2024
What is Instagram Roasting?
Instagram roasting is the art of creating humorous, playful criticisms about someone's Instagram profile, posts, bio, or online persona. Unlike cyberbullying, roasting is consensual, funny, and typically strengthens relationships rather than damages them.
The Numbers Don't Lie:
- • 450 million+ Instagram users exposed to roasting content monthly
- • $2.3 billion in roasting-related content creation (2024)
- • 78% of Gen Z users have been roasted on Instagram
- • Average user gets roasted 3.2 times per month
- • Roasting engagement up 340% since 2023
Our 2025 State of Instagram Roasting Report analyzed 10,000+ users and found that roasting is now a core part of social media interaction, with 92% saying it makes their friendships stronger.
The Psychology Behind Roasting
Why do we enjoy being roasted? The psychology is fascinating:
Social Bonding
Roasting creates in-group dynamics. When friends roast each other, it signals trust and intimacy. "I know you well enough to joke about this."
Humor as Defense
Being able to laugh at yourself is a sign of emotional intelligence and confidence. Gen Z values self-awareness and anti-perfectionism.
Status Play
Good roasters gain social status. The ability to craft clever, funny observations is a valued skill in online communities.
Entertainment Value
Roasts are content. They're shareable, quotable, and create engagement. A good roast can go viral and boost both parties' visibility.
Learn more about the psychology of Instagram roasting in our research articles.
7 Types of Instagram Roasts
1. Savage Roasts
Brutal, no-holds-barred humor. Direct and cutting, but still funny enough that everyone laughs.
Example: "Your bio says 'entrepreneur' but your content says 'unemployed with a camera'"
Learn savage roasting →2. Friendly Roasts
Gentle, affectionate humor. Points out quirks in an endearing way.
Example: "You post gym selfies like you're training for the Olympics, but we both know you're just there for the smoothies 😂"
Learn friendly roasting →3. Shakespearean Roasts
Eloquent, flowery insults delivered with theatrical flair and old English vocabulary.
Example: "Thy selfies doth reveal a visage most ordinary, yet thy ego doth soar to heights most unwarranted"
Learn Shakespearean roasting →4. Gen-Z Slang Roasts
Uses current slang like "mid," "NPC," "delulu," and "cooked" for maximum relatability.
Example: "bestie you're giving main character energy but you're actually an NPC. respectfully, you're mid."
Learn Gen-Z roasting →5. Wholesome Roasts
Backhanded compliments that end up being sweet.
Example: "Your aesthetic is so chaotic but somehow it works and I love it"
6. Sarcastic Observational
Points out ironic contradictions in someone's online persona.
Example: "Posts about authenticity with 47 filters applied 💀"
7. Pattern Recognition
Identifies repeated behaviors or content themes.
Example: "Your entire grid is golden hour selfies. We get it, the sun likes you"
How to Roast Someone (Step-by-Step)
Analyze the Profile
Spend 5 minutes studying their bio, posts, captions, and overall aesthetic. Look for patterns, clichés, contradictions, and unique quirks.
Choose Your Angle
Pick one specific thing to roast. Don't try to roast everything at once. Focus makes roasts funnier and more memorable.
Add Specificity
Generic roasts are boring. Use specific details from their profile. Reference actual posts, caption styles, or bio phrases.
Balance Truth with Exaggeration
The best roasts have a kernel of truth but exaggerate it for comedy. If they post gym selfies, joke they live there.
Deliver with Timing
Consider your relationship and their mood. Roast publicly only if they're comfortable with it. Use emojis to soften tone (💀, 😂).
⚠️ Golden Rule
If you wouldn't say it to their face with a smile, don't post it online. Roasting should strengthen relationships, not damage them.
See our complete how-to guide for more detailed strategies.
50+ Roast Examples by Category
Here are real roast examples organized by profile type:
Gym Bro Profiles
- • "Bro posts more gym selfies than actual workouts"
- • "The only thing getting a workout is your camera roll"
- • "You're at the gym so much I'm convinced you're homeless"
Aesthetic Accounts
- • "Your grid looks like a Pinterest board had a baby with a coffee shop"
- • "I can't tell if this is your Instagram or a beige paint catalog"
- • "The algorithm thinks you're a mood board, not a person"
Travel Influencer Wannabes
- • "You went to Paris once and made it your entire personality"
- • "Bio says 'world traveler' but you've been to 3 countries"
- • "You're not a digital nomad, you're just unemployed with a passport"
Browse 500+ more roast examples organized by category and style.
Roasting Dos and Don'ts
✅ DO
- • Roast behaviors, not appearance
- • Make sure they can laugh too
- • Be specific and clever
- • Know your audience
- • Use humor, not malice
- • Accept roasts in return
- • Keep it playful
❌ DON'T
- • Attack physical appearance
- • Roast sensitive topics
- • Punch down at vulnerable people
- • Be racist, sexist, or discriminatory
- • Roast publicly without consent
- • Continue if they're uncomfortable
- • Use roasting to bully