The account, We Rate Dogs, also helps raise funds for dogs in need and for owners to cover medical expenses.
Matt Nelson was just a teen when he started the We Rate Dogs Twitter account in November 2015. The then-college freshman launched the account with a post featuring his friend's dog. Within hours, Nelson received "hundreds" of messages from dog owners asking him to feature their pups on the profile. Today, the 25-year-old has more than 9.1 million followers on Twitter and an additional 2.3 million on Instagram. The popular social media account—known for regularly posting adorable pictures of dogs with witty captions and ratings that naturally always exceed a perfect 10—has also helped countless dogs get access to medical care.
Here we have a Japanese Irish Setter. Lost eye in Vietnam (?). Big fan of relaxing on stair. 8/10 would pet pic.twitter.com/BLDqew2Ijj
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) November 15, 2015
Speaking to CNBC about how he came to launch We Rate Dogs, Nelson revealed that he was inspired by a certain pattern he noticed with his personal Twitter account. "[I] got addicted to trying to make people laugh in that constrained character space," he said, referring to the previous 140 character limit for tweets. As he tweeted, Nelson said he noticed that "every time I would post a picture of my dog or any content that had to do with dogs, it would do much better than my other content... That signaled that the internet loves dogs just as much as I did."
In the six years since launching the account, We Rate Dogs has grown into a significant presence on social media. Nelson now leverages the account's popularity to raise funds for dogs in need and for owners to cover medical expenses. Aside from encouraging his millions of social media followers to contribute to dogs in need, Nelson himself donates to campaigns regularly. "Posting a GoFundMe campaign for a dog in need has become a Friday tradition, with every campaign being fully funded within an hour of being posted. "It was very clear that my audience was looking for a way to give back," he said. "Part of the reason it's been so successful is because our audience trusts us with the curation of these stories, and now, our audience trusts me. So, that consistency of posting every Friday and getting our audience used to it has really helped it become what it is like now."
Here are 25 recent posts shared by We Rate Dogs:
This is Rux. He needs everyone to know this is not a phase. This is who he really is. 13/10 pic.twitter.com/QRNafzXbFR
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) September 26, 2021
This is Piggy. She noticed you didn't finish your sandwich. Wonders what might happen to the rest of it. Perhaps it could be given to someone. Maybe a good girl. 13/10 pic.twitter.com/aHOVNVvQC8
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) March 8, 2022
This is Ruby. She was not tall enough to go on the Ferris wheel but her human made sure she got the full amusement park experience anyway. 13/10 pic.twitter.com/0IGk4rmwOu
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) March 8, 2022
This is Silo. He’s working on his entrances. They’re a little aggressive at the moment. Still 14/10 pic.twitter.com/NiAFZi5jvA
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) March 4, 2022
This is Vixen. He really likes bananas. Steals them when he thinks nobody's watching. 13/10 opportunistic as h*ck pic.twitter.com/6tbmOrJASv
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) March 2, 2022
This is a covert secret agent. Can infiltrate any room completely undetected. Usually disguised as a teddy bear. 13/10 pic.twitter.com/TjDFLFbaA7
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) March 1, 2022
This is Rufus. Every time he's a good boy, he gets a new toy. As you can see, this happens often. 14/10 pic.twitter.com/1v1nPyZlgM
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) February 28, 2022
This is Sture. He can't believe you brought up his paw wrinkles. That's the one thing he's sensitive about. 14/10 please say sorry pic.twitter.com/vDr6ZbaRBP
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) February 23, 2022
This is Donut. He wanted to pop out and say hi. Wondering where your personal chauffeur is. Said you can borrow his, if you'd like. 13/10 pic.twitter.com/Tf6WQOxihI
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) February 22, 2022
This is Jeffrey. He's being held so he doesn't fly away. 13/10 would set free pic.twitter.com/mFedGuMtTx
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) February 22, 2022
This is Ozzy. He is so sneaky. If you see him, it's already too late. 12/10 would accept my fate pic.twitter.com/UxcGTd2a8w
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) February 18, 2022
This is Dotty. There was a small miscommunication about what making snow angels meant. Modeled it after herself. 12/10 pic.twitter.com/w8Gx4j5XOc
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) February 17, 2022
This is Gamja and Chip. Chip’s new to the family, so Gamja is showing him how to play. Core memory achieved. 13/10 for both pic.twitter.com/IXmOym83g6
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) February 16, 2022
This is Albie. He understands that some people have bad angles but he simply can't relate. 13/10 he is so beautiful pic.twitter.com/rz4wzsnNas
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) February 16, 2022
This is Aja. She was just told she's a good girl. Suspicions confirmed. 13/10 would tell again pic.twitter.com/YfPliuwr4G
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) February 15, 2022
This is Charlie. He has literal heart-eyes. 14/10 would be an honor to pet pic.twitter.com/TLMdX7SwHi
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) February 14, 2022
This is a pineapple. We only rate dogs. It's one thing to send us other animals, but sending us a plant is purely uncivilized. Please send dogs... thank you. 14/10 pic.twitter.com/Gj3MxtO6WY
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) February 12, 2022
This is Vader. He is currently in the snowball fight of the century out there. Requesting back-pup. Really needs someone with opposable thumbs. 13/10 would follow into battle pic.twitter.com/EkzYrsplIc
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) February 7, 2022
This is Rocky. He’s been promoted from good boy to best man. Understands what a big deal this is. Taking his duties very seriously. 13/10 #SeniorPupSaturday pic.twitter.com/PjLwVCgWR2
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) February 5, 2022
This is Apple. The best part of her day is hearing about yours. Hopes it went well but it’s ok if it didn't. She's not going anywhere. 12/10 pic.twitter.com/j5R1J0jY6f
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) February 1, 2022
This is Flynn. He is just taking a little dip. That’s what he likes to do, so that is what he does. 14/10 pic.twitter.com/6eLbflBZ1P
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) January 27, 2022
Really guys? We only rate dogs. This is a Fluffy Flower Mouse. One of the largest we’ve ever seen. Please send in dogs only. Thank you… 13/10 pic.twitter.com/31IGxHeywI
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) January 24, 2022
This is Moo. He’s still getting the hang of things, just in general. 12/10 aren’t we all pic.twitter.com/a1YSrx0pR7
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) January 18, 2022
Here we have just a little guy, toasty and content as he reflects on his day. 13/10 would try my best not to disturb him pic.twitter.com/iP2G98dkKb
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) January 13, 2022
This is Rocky. He gets a little wild when his humans have friends over, so they distract him with squirrel videos. 14/10 pic.twitter.com/Y1xtmmGcfh
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) January 11, 2022