Why You Shouldn’t Put All Your Social Media Eggs in Instagram’s Basket (Especially in 2025)

“ The point is not letting one single app control your creative visibility, income or peace of mind. Let Instagram be one tool, not your whole toolbox. “

Instagram has been the go-to platform for artists for years. It's where portfolios lived, commissions came in, and the entire art world seemed to gather. But if you're still relying on Instagram as your main creative outlet in 2025, it's probably time to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

This isn’t about ditching it. It’s about protecting your work, your energy, and your future by not placing everything in the hands of one very unstable, ever-changing app.

Here’s why it’s worth spreading your creative presence beyond Instagram.

Instagram’s algorithm doesn’t seem to favour art

You can post your best work and watch it barely reach anyone, even people who already follow you. Then the next day, something random blows up. It’s not about quality — it’s the algorithm. And that algorithm is built to keep people scrolling, not necessarily to support artists.

The problem is, you don’t get to decide when or how your work gets seen. That’s a big risk if you’re trying to build something long-term.

And lately, it seems the algorithm doesn’t favour artists' work at all unless you make a song and dance about it — literally, by turning it into a Reel with trending audio and rapid cuts.

You don’t own your audience there

Your followers? Not actually yours. If Instagram flags your account, glitches out or decides to "update" how content is served again, your access to your audience can disappear overnight. It’s like building a house on someone else’s land and hoping they never change the locks.

By contrast, a mailing list, blog, or personal website gives you a direct line to your audience. You’re not at the mercy of an algorithm — you can just show up and share your work.

Creative burnout is a real side effect

The pressure to post daily, make Reels, share Stories, stay on top of trends and somehow be “authentic” while doing it? It’s a lot. And if your creative work doesn’t naturally fit into video content or algorithm-friendly formats, it can feel like forcing something that was never meant to be shaped that way.

Over time, your art starts to feel like content. And that’s when the burnout creeps in.

There are other spaces that are actually working for artists

Instagram isn’t the only show in town. If you’re not exploring other platforms, you’re missing out on opportunities to grow in ways that feel way more sustainable.

Threads has been surprisingly strong for artist-to-artist connection. It's a text-based platform, but there’s a growing creative community there that feels more human. You can have real conversations, share your process, and connect with like-minded people without the constant pressure to be “on.” No curated feeds, no endless editing — just people showing up and talking.

Pinterest is a goldmine for traffic. Seriously. It’s less about likes and more about long-term visibility. I’ve had pins bring traffic to my shop and website months after posting. It acts more like a visual search engine than a social media platform, which means your content actually has a shelf life.

Newsletters are also making a quiet comeback. People are realising how nice it is to get updates from creators they care about, without needing to scroll through ads or dodge algorithm games. A simple monthly or fortnightly newsletter can go a long way.

Your own website or blog may not feel as exciting as a social app, but it’s your space. No pop-ups, no auto-play videos, no weird engagement tricks — just your work, presented how you want it. And when someone visits it, they’re there for you. Not because the app decided to randomly suggest you.

You don’t have to be everywhere, but you do need a backup plan.

You don’t need to post on five platforms a day. That’s not the point. The point is not letting one single app control your creative visibility, income or peace of mind. Let Instagram be one tool, not your whole toolbox.

Use it if it helps. But build elsewhere too.
Because Instagram might glitch tomorrow. And you deserve to keep going anyway.

So what’s the move?

Start small.
Set up a Pinterest account and create a few pins for your website or shop.
Open a Threads account and follow other artists.
Build an email list, even if it's tiny right now.
Revisit your website or portfolio and ask yourself, “If Instagram disappeared today, could someone still find me?”

This isn’t about jumping ship. It’s about planting roots that aren’t at risk of being yanked up by someone else’s algorithm.

Your creative world is bigger than one platform. Build like it.