Insta

[olivermoss]

As I've mentioned to a few people, starting Monday I am going to do a three week experiment with taking Insta seriously. Then I will stop. I will stop because there is no way for an actual content creator to keep up with the demands of the algorithm unless, like, you are an Internet Personality™ and get likes for posting your breakfast. I just want to poke at it and see what happens, see if I can get on anyone's radar. Also, I need a brain break from posting places like Facebook.

If you are interested in seeing the experiment, giving me a like to help out or just see my hilariously neglected Insta it's here.

If anyone has actually used Insta this decade and has any advice, let me know. From what I understand, only using a few tags is much gooder than the old tactic of Tag All The Things

Comments

[falena]

I added you on IG. I use it a lot but not in any professional way or even as a photographer. I really like IG for two reasons.

1) It's just a nice way to share bits of my daily life in a more visual way. And, conversely, a nice way of taking a sneek peak at my friends' life. Especially those friends I don't see much IRL. 2)Then I follow loads of science communicators, fellow teachers or content creators - people who mostly post content that is relevant to my interests. I save posts with new restaurants/shops to try out in town, posts with teaching tips and ideas, politics/feminism/news, recipes, photo inspiration...

So, I don't have any advice to offer. I think that people who only posts pictures are somehow penalised by the algorithm, you also need to be active with stories and, most of all, reels seemed to be pushed by the algorithm in terms of reach. Or so I've gathered from what certain content creators have said.

Good luck with your experiment. I'll definitely try and give you some likes and maybe shares some of your pics.

[olivermoss]

Thanks! Insta didn't give me a follow notif, so if you let me know your name I'll follow back.

I did use Insta for daily life when I first go it, but no one I knew was also using it that way so I sort of fell off. I've tried to use it for photography a few times, but it just felt pointless.

I mostly use it to follow, well, to follow Leverage related account. I also follow the BuckarooBanzai tag because I see more fan art and fan projects there than any other medium. For very small fandoms, sometimes there is a surprising amount of activity there. I think most of my Buckaroo Banzai fan interaction over the past few years has been there.

[falena]

I'm holies on there.

[olivermoss]

Found it :)

[peaked]

You would definitely have some fun tagging with your photos! If your photos follow any themes, you could possibly join in on big day theme tags.

Off the top of my head, there's #caturday (cats, ha—I believe this one ties in with Saturday), #whiskerwednesday, #motivationmonday, #throwbackthursday, #flashbackfriday, #potd (photo of the day). I'd advise using basic tags and don't go for anything too unique because you're less likely to get cut through. (For your skeletons, I'd go with something like #skeleton #spooky #spookyseason #spookyvibe #spookyscaryskeletons for example.)

Definitely don't overkill it with tags, but there's really no rule as to how many you can use. Some of the popular accounts use a lot of hashtags. Just do as many as you can be bothered to do.

You'll also get a few people checking you out if you go into hashtags and like some photos.

I will stop because there is no way for an actual content creator to keep up with the demands of the algorithm unless, like, you are an Internet Personality™ and get likes for posting your breakfast.
You're not wrong. I have an account for my cats and while I like sharing photos, it can be a Lot to remember to post to ensure you have an "active" account. (Add liking other photos and even commenting... It can take up a lot of energy imo.)

[olivermoss]

Thanks!

Yeah, I tried the #TBT stuff back when I was active on Insta. I am going to copy-paste some of the tags Weird Portland United is using. I do like liking other people's content and messing around a bit.

[przed]

Followed!

I mostly use insta to follow friends, a couple of ridiculous celebrity crushes, and creators and designers I like to buy from. It'll be fun to see your photography pop up there.

[olivermoss]

Thank you!

I mostly use Insta to follow some fandom stuff these days, and some brands of camera stuff I use. I kinda use it like I used to use twitter, to stay in the loop on things.

[writedragon]

following! Good luck with your experiment

[olivermoss]

Thank you!

[oracne]

I added you - I use it for "daily life" stuff. I call it my Proof of Life social media for my genetic family. Houseplants, food, and my little wool octopus make many appearances.

[olivermoss]

Thank you!

I like the idea of using it for daily life, but didn't have the connections over there for that to work well.

[mistressofmuses]

I know probably less than zero about how insta actually works, but I'll give you a follow! I don't use insta at all, but.

[olivermoss]

Thanks! If you let me know your name I'll follow back. Insta is not giving me new follow notifs. I've figure out some names from this post, but not all

[mistressofmuses]

It's mistressofmuses on there, too. But I wasn't kidding when I said I'd *never* used it. I should at least toss up some pictures of my dog or something.

[olivermoss]

Found it. Empty, but I followed anyway :)

[mistressofmuses]

Thank you! Someday I may at least remember to share a picture of my dog or something, ha.