On Instagram, a common abbreviation refers to “like, comment, rate.” This is a call to action frequently used to encourage audience engagement with posted content. For example, a user might include this acronym in the caption of a photo or video to prompt viewers to interact with the post by liking it, leaving a comment, and/or rating it in some manner (if the platform supports ratings directly or indirectly through other metrics).
The use of this shorthand provides a concise method for creators to express the desired response from their audience. It benefits both the poster and the viewer; the poster receives increased interaction, potentially leading to broader visibility through the algorithm, while the viewer is given clear guidance on how they can support the content they enjoy. The concept of requesting audience participation through likes, comments, and other forms of feedback has existed since the earliest days of online content sharing, though the specific abbreviation is more recent.