On Instagram, “CFS” commonly denotes “Comment For Shoutout.” It is a request made by a user for others to leave a comment on their post in exchange for the poster promoting the commenter’s account to their own followers. For example, an individual might post a photo with the caption, “New post! CFS if you want a shoutout on my story.” This invites others to engage with the content for the chance to gain exposure.
This practice serves to increase engagement on a post, boosting its visibility within Instagram’s algorithm. The potential benefit for the original poster is expanded reach and a larger audience. Historically, the concept emerged as a grassroots marketing tactic, reflecting users’ desire to leverage peer networks for growth in a competitive social media landscape.