Social Media Abyss
When your followers do not see you or you can not see them.
Today, someone reached out to me, lamenting that since October 2023, he could no longer see my presence on his Instagram page. Intrigued and somewhat puzzled, I checked his profile and discovered that we were still following each other. Yet, his posts had vanished from my feed. This experience felt eerily familiar, pointing towards a deeper issue — Instagram’s algorithm and its enigmatic abyss.
For the past year, Instagram has been my primary social media outlet. It became my sanctuary for pursuing my passion for street photography, a platform where I could connect with like-minded creators, artists, and engage with inspiring content. Instagram has been integral to my creative exploration, a digital canvas for sharing my work. However, growing an audience has proven to be a formidable challenge. Despite diligently learning the craft of photography, consistently sharing my work, and steadily building a follower base, I realized that visibility requires more than just talent — it demands active promotion and unwavering self-confidence.
Despite my best efforts, I find it increasingly difficult to keep up with the work of those I follow and promote their content. The Instagram algorithm seems to prioritize showing me content it predicts I might engage with, rather than the work of my followers or those I follow. This disconnect undermines the essence of social media — the mutual visibility between followers. When the platform fails to uphold this basic premise, it feels less like a tool for inspiration and more like a void — a social media abyss.
For some time now, Instagram has felt more like an abyss than a source of inspiration. I have started seeking inspiration elsewhere — turning to books, YouTube, and direct communication with fellow photographers through chat apps and real-world interactions. These mediums have become my new sources of inspiration, allowing me to break free from the limitations imposed by Instagram’s algorithm.
To anyone embarking on their journey in photography or sharing creative content, platforms like Instagram or YouTube can indeed serve as valuable starting points. However, as you grow, consider building direct connections via emails, newsletters, forums, and chats. These methods foster deeper, more meaningful interactions, free from the constraints of social media algorithms.
I am now part of such a community and find joy in following and learning from other like-minded photographers. This approach allows me to avoid the pitfalls of Instagram and other social media platforms, fostering a more fulfilling creative journey.
The moral of the story is simple: keep creating, keep connecting, and do not be disheartened if your work goes unnoticed on social media. Experiment, explore, and rise above the social media abyss.
P.S.
You can follow my work at
https://www.instagram.com/hungrulu/
Join this incredible community of like minded photographers.
https://www.instagram.com/untitled.storiez/
