Why Instagram Is Failing Artists, and what we can do about it.
“ Let’s be real. Instagram is not worth the headache anymore. Chasing the algorithm, begging for engagement, and watching your posts disappear into the void? No thanks “
Once upon a time, Instagram was the place for artists. It was where painters, illustrators, designers, and creatives of all kinds could share their work, build a following, and connect with an audience that genuinely loved their art. It felt like a free, digital gallery where talent spoke louder than marketing budgets.
Fast forward to today, and it’s a whole different story. Engagement is tanking, posts aren’t reaching followers, and the once-thriving creative community feels like it’s shouting into the void. If you’re an artist feeling frustrated with Instagram, you’re not alone.
So, what happened? And more importantly, what can you do about it?
1. Instagram’s Algorithm Doesn’t Care About Your Art
Let’s start with the big one: the algorithm.
Instagram used to be a chronological feed, meaning, if you posted something, your followers actually saw it. Simple, right? But over time, Instagram decided that what you post isn’t as important as how “engaging” it is (translation: Does it go viral? No? Then it gets buried).
Here’s what that means for artists:
Art posts = Low engagement (because people take their time appreciating art, not reacting instantly like they do with memes).
Reels = Prioritized content (because Instagram is obsessed with competing with TikTok).
Boosted posts = Better reach (because Instagram wants your money).
The result? Your followers aren’t even seeing your posts anymore unless they actively search for you or interact with you constantly. And let’s be real—who has time to manually check every artist they follow?
2. Your Engagement Is Dropping Constantly
Ever noticed that your posts aren’t getting nearly as many likes or comments as they used to? It’s not just in your head. Instagram actively suppresses content that doesn’t fit its engagement model.
That means:
Your carefully crafted illustration might get hidden beneath a sea of viral dance videos.
Your digital collage masterpiece gets replaced by “relatable” memes.
Your post gets shown to only 5-10% of your followers, unless it somehow catches fire in the first few minutes.
And don’t even get me started on the mystery of shadow banning, where your content disappears from search results and hashtags. Instagram denies it, but countless artists have experienced sudden, unexplained drops in visibility We can’t even be completely sure on how real shadow banning is, but regardless, whatever is happening, its a pain in the bottom.
3. Instagram Wants You to Pay to Be Seen
Remember when you could just post something great and watch it gain traction organically? Yeah, that’s over.
Now, Instagram practically forces you to pay for ads or boosted posts if you want any real reach. It’s a classic pay-to-play move, and it’s hurting independent artists the most. Unlike big brands that can throw money at social media marketing, individual creatives don’t always have the budget to “boost” every single piece of art they create.
And even if you do pay? There’s no guarantee that the people who actually care about your work will see it. The algorithm decides who gets to engage, not you.
4. Instagram Is Having an Identity Crisis
Is Instagram a photo-sharing app? A video platform? A shopping mall? Even Instagram doesn’t seem to know anymore.
Here’s what’s happening:
Reels are king, even though Instagram was originally a photo-sharing platform.
Big influencers and brands are prioritised, leaving independent artists struggling to be seen.
For artists, this means less visibility and fewer opportunities. You’re not just competing with other creatives anymore, you’re up against influencers, meme pages, and corporate ads all fighting for attention.
So, What Can Artists Do Now?
Instagram may be making it harder, but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Here are some ways to adapt and take control of your audience again:
Diversify Where You Share Your Work
Don’t put all your eggs in the Instagram basket. Try:
Threads, even though it’s still owned by Instagram’s mother, Meta, some artists have found better community building here.
Pinterest , it’s great for visual artists looking for long-term engagement.
Behance or Dribbble, perfect for design and illustration portfolios.
Your own website + email list, this is the ultimate way to own your audience instead of relying on algorithms).
Try To Emotionally Detach Yourself From Instagram A Bit
Treat it as a portfolio, not a growth tool. Take it back to the olden days where posting on Instagram was too create a cool looking feed and an aesthetically pleasing presence with nice imagery.
Focus on engaging with your core and existing audience, respond to comments, leave comments on other posts, DM followers, build a small but loyal community.
Experiment with Reels and carousel posts, since Instagram prioritises those, but experiment, if you find it’s not working for you, don’t force and waste your energy on it.
Build a Community Outside of Social Media
Start a newsletter where you share your art and creative updates.
Create a Discord or Patreon for your most dedicated supporters.
Sell prints and artwork directly through your own platform, or try platforms like RedBubble.
Final Thoughts: Stop Stressing Over Instagram in 2025
Let’s be real. Instagram is not worth the headache anymore. Chasing the algorithm, begging for engagement, and watching your posts disappear into the void? No thanks. Instead of wasting your creative energy on a platform that plays games with your visibility, put that effort into places where you’re in control. Build a website. Start a newsletter. Share your work somewhere that actually values it. Instagram does not get to decide if you are successful. Your art is still amazing, whether an algorithm likes it or not.