Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Integrating Computerized Linguistic and Social Network Analyses to Capture Addiction Recovery Capital in an Online Community
Published on: May 31, 2019
#fitspo on Instagram: A mixed-methods approach using Netlytic and photo analysis, uncovering the online discussion
Sara Santarossa1, Paige Coyne1, Carly Lisinski1
1University of Windsor, Canada.
Abstract:
The #fitspo 'tag' is a recent trend on Instagram, which is used on posts to motivate others towards a healthy lifestyle through exercise/eating habits. This study used a mixed-methods approach consisting of text and network analysis via the Netlytic program ( N = 10,000 #fitspo posts), and content analysis of #fitspo images ( N = 122) was used to examine author and image characteristics. Results suggest that #fitspo posts may motivate through appearance-mediated themes, as the largest content categories (based on the associated text) were 'feeling good' and 'appearance'. Furthermore, #fitspo posts may create peer influence/support as personal (opposed to non-personal) accounts were associated with higher popularity of images (i.e. number of likes/followers). Finally, most images contained posed individuals with some degree of objectification.
Related Concept Videos
Social Foundations of Self IV: Self in Digital Communication
Impression Management Techniques I: Managing Appearances

