10 Unique NYC Social Media Accounts You Need To Follow
Grab your metaphorical subway pass and let’s dive into the top NYC social media accounts. ♡
Whether you’re a local looking to rediscover your city or you’re an outsider eager to capture a bit of its magic, these NYC social media feeds are your ticket to the heart of the city’s creative pulse. Follow them, love them, and let your feed be forever changed. But first, why is unique content important on social media anyway?
The Algorithm Loves All Things Unique
I promise, the algorithm isn't fighting against you! All social media algorithms are merely the reflection of consumer interest. And consumers can’t stop scrolling when content is unique.
Because of that, the best strategy you can create for your brand is one that is steeped in all things different, unique, and scroll stopping. And guess what – Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, agrees.
In his latest reel, Mosseri unveiled that Instagram will be prioritizing original content in the recommendations tab, giving a much-needed visibility boost to creators who are putting out fresh, unique content.
“Instagram will be prioritizing original content in the recommendations tab, giving a much-needed visibility boost to creators who are putting out fresh, unique content.”
Mosseri also mentioned that if accounts perpetually resharing other users' content, the posts will not show in the recommendation tab. He suggested that accounts should shift towards creating their own original content if they want to stay visible to users who don't already follow them.
And that’s why today, we’re looking at the 10 NYC social media accounts that are doing something different. Grab your metaphorical subway pass, because we’re about to take a tour through the city that never sleeps—right from our smartphones!
10 unique Nyc Social Media Accounts you need to follow
#1. Humans of New York
Tell (very) in depth stories.
You won’t meet a single Instagram guru who would suggest a monthlong social media hiatus, followed by posting 54 times in one day. Not a single one.
And yet, that’s what makes Humans of New York worth following.
Brandon Stanton, the storyteller behind the Humans of New York social media page, interviews seemingly average New Yorkers to find heartfelt, unique, and scroll stopping stories. His stories cover anything from street performers and artists to self proclaimed outlaws and retirees. And let me tell you, when the first post of a long series goes live, the crowd goes wild. Comments like “I’m already hooked to the intensity of these words” and “Clearing my schedule as we speak” say it all.
So what can we learn from this unconventional way of posting?
Sacrificing posting every single day and instead, opt for quality, storytelling, and resonance.
#2. Solid State Coffee
Create the content that no one else can.
Solid State Coffee is no stranger to the quality over quantity. Their single source blends, hand selected playlist (seriously, they play the best music), and steady stream of regulars say it all.
And while we may have bias on this (teehee, Solid State Coffee is our client), their social media channels really deliver the full experience. And the hundreds of new monthly followers agree.
Here’s what makes their page stand out: Solid State Coffee doesn’t follow trends, they create them.
I’m not saying that following trends is inherently bad – your audience may love them! But in a saturated and busy landscape like New York, thinking outside the box is your secret weapon. For Solid State Coffee, this means creating the content that many other trendy coffee shops can’t, like:
Leveraging the unique humor of their team (this post makes us lol)
Interviewing their regulars (how cool is this)
Getting educational (like really, really deep into the weeds)
Sharing their handcrafted (and highly requested) playlist with their followers
Investing in custom photography and graphic design each month. Quality matters!!
What are the content pieces that no one else in your industry can create as well as you? THAT is your best strategy.
#3. Kallmeyer
Opt for consistent, high quality visuals.
Kallmeyer’s Instagram is a masterclass in minimalist elegance, showcasing the brand's refined, wearable pieces with a sleek, cohesive aesthetic. Their feed is a visual work of art, filled with sharp blazers and satin dresses that exude effortless sophistication.
And what do I love most about their page? Kallmeyer maintains a consistent visual style that reflects their brand identity. This creates a recognizable and memorable presence that draws followers back for more.
Kallmeyer’s visuals are edgy, pushing the boundaries of traditional fashion while maintaining an air of elegance. This balance makes their content both exciting and aspirational. And if you look on their website? Same exact vibe. Their consistency is truly 10/10.
#4. Marc Rebillet aka Loop Daddy
Do what others won’t.
Whether you’re a devoted TikTok scroller, an eclectic music fan, or don’t give a f*@k if you’re late to work, Marc Rebillet’s face has probably graced your screen at some point. And if you’ve been lucky enough to witness one of his pop ups in person? You win.
Marc Rebillet takes to the streets of New York to freestyle, interact with the crowd, film it all, and inevitably get in trouble by law enforcement. But hey, do it for the gram.
You’re probably sitting here saying “Yeah okay, I get why his page is popular, but I’m not a DJ and I definitely can’t freestyle.” Me neither. But what we can learn from his page is that to perform well on social media, it helps to do things that other people won’t.
That means venturing into a territory that others deem to be intimidating, inconvenient, or time consuming.
What pieces of content have you been afraid to film? What Reels ideas do you keep putting off because it’s inconvenience? Or time consuming? Channel your inner Marc Rebillet, trust yourself, and do the damn thing.
#5. Bad Roman
Match luxury with luxury.
You likely keep hearing everywhere that user-generated content (UGC) is drastically outperforming professionally shot content. Anyone else hearing the stats?
84% of buyers trust recommendations from their peers over all types of advertising
UGC greatly influences 79% of people's buying decisions
And so forth.
For the most part, I find this to be true. But here’s the thing – statistics and sweeping statements do not consider you, your brand, and your audience. Wouldn’t it be strange for a Michelin star restaurant where meals soar past $100+ per person to have a page of only UGC shot on an iPhone? Absolutely.
@badromannyc is a new modern Italian restaurant in UWS. And they have mastered the art of high quality, professional content that still feels engaging, approachable, and interactive.
So that does this mean for you? Go against the stereotypical advice that claims UGC as the only way to grow a brand. If you want your upscale brand to be perceived as exclusive and high end, consider hiring a photographer or videographer to capture your monthly content. Remember, quality over quantity!
#6. MILK BAR
Be the face of your brand – or find someone else to.
“I love Instagram because I get to see advertisements from businesses” –Said no one, ever.
The original intent of social media was to connect friends with friends and family with family. The SOCIAL in social media. These platforms were never intended for business advertisements! And still to this day, relationship building content is king.
Your brand can bring the “social” back into social media just like @milkbarstore does.
Milk Bar leverages its social media to not only showcase its innovative desserts but also to tell the story of its founder, Christina Tosi, and the brand’s journey. This personal touch, combined with behind-the-scenes content and customer features, helps build a strong connection with their audience.
Camera shy? Don’t worry. You can find a long-term employee, partner, or a committed UGC creator to be the face (or faces) of your brand.
#7. Meet Cutes NYC
Interact with the community interview-style.
This TikTok channel is pure magic, capturing the spontaneous charm of NYC through the cutest encounters ✨ever✨. Their secret sauce? Authenticity and wholesome human connection.
Let’s keep it real. Meet Cute NYC’s unscripted, heartfelt content resonates because it’s relatable. They go a step further to tell a story through lots of laughter and giggling and flirting.
You have an advantage here. You live in the biggest city in the country. That’s 20 million untapped stories, hot takes, and user experiences right at your finger tips. Now, you can learn how to leverage them interview-style.
Here are a few other brands that leverage interviews to promote their brand:
#8. Summer Fridays
Go for a balanced aesthetic.
Okay fine, this one isn’t a nyc social media brand. But I’m a cult follower and I couldn’t help it. And I have a feeling that everyone else in nyc does too (am I wrong?).
Summer Fridays is a skincare brand that social media managers know—and frankly. can’t get enough of. Their page features a scrolling color grid (swoon) and truly captures the feeling of “Summer Fridays”. Is it just me or can you also not stop scrolling?
Their aesthetic is out of this world. But it’s not just the colors and design that make their account impossible to pull away from – it’s the balance of content.
Take a look at their feed again, what do you see? I see in studio product shots, but I also see lifestyle images of the beach. I see close up views of the texture of lip gloss, but I also see real women wearing and showing off a new shade.
Summer Fridays has mastered the art of balance.
What does this mean for your page? Invest in those high quality videos and images, but don’t be afraid to let influencers, UGC creators, and real customers tell the story of your product as well. Balance that with some lifestyle photos and you have a page worth following.
IMAGE: Photo of grid next to a color coded grid that shows the balance of content
#9. WhatIsNewYork
Ditch the aesthetic.
I know, I just shared Summer Fridays because of their flawless grid. And now I’m saying to ditch the grid? Call it what you want – a contradiction or clever strategy. But regardless, the debate between aesthetic vs. no aesthetic lies in your audience, your brand, and how you want to be seen online.
What Is New York captures all of the oddities of the city, leaning into storytelling in a way that only a local can. They showcase an unvarnished, sometimes bizarre, reality of urban life using authentic content rather than a meticulously curated grid.
It's chaotic, it's raw, and at times, a bit shocking.
This shift on social media highlights a broader trend: authenticity is oftentimes more important than perfection. Instagram users, especially younger generations, crave realness. So, let your feed be as messy and vibrant as life itself – because that’s what truly connects with people.
#10. Watching New York
Become the people’s paparazzi. Aka, become the biggest fan of your community.
Welcome to a captivating slice of life from the streets of NYC. For seven years, Johnny Cirillo hit the pavement to capture the best in NYC’s street style. And lucky us, we get to see all of the candids.
With every post, he captures the unique fashion and vibrant personalities of New Yorkers, turning everyday moments into a whole aesthetic of it’s own. Their candid street-style photography is both authentic and inspiring, showcasing the city's eclectic mix of styles and cultures.
Why is it a hit? And how can you apply this strategy to your brand?
Become the biggest fan of our community and capture candids (of course, getting photo permission before sharing). This offers a genuine glimpse into those that obsess over your brand and allows you to showcase real people and their stories.
looking for Nyc Social Media management?
Being stressed out over social media is so last year. Leave the trends monitoring to us and outsource your NYC social media management to Scott Social! We’ll take care of all the Reels editing, caption writing, and hashtags so you can get back to what you do best – building your empire.
Scott Social is a boutique social media agency in NYC that specializes in organic social media management and content creation. Contact us today to get started!
WRITTEN BY:
Chelsea Evans-Flower
Founder + Social Media Strategist