While Instagram has made a name for itself as the go-to platform for visual content creators, that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. In fact, many social media users pushed back and threatened to unfollow Instagram, including Kylie Jenner. What’s the problem? Could it be that Instagram (or, ahem, Zuckerberg) wants to be a bit too much like TikTok?

The reality is that some of our shoe drive fundraising partners have immense success getting the word out to their communities with social platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. So, that got us thinking. What could nonprofits and social good organizations use if they want to experiment with other social medial platforms?

Are you looking for a new way to share your visual content? We’ll share a few alternatives to re-ignite your creative juices if you’d like to unfollow Instagram—or at least see other social media platforms. Still, remember that what’s hot today won’t be tomorrow. So, exploring and seeing what’s new is always a good idea.

Why are creative folks ditching Instagram?

Instagram has long been home to some of the world’s most creative and artistic people. Top-tier celebrities and emerging influencers and brands enjoy the platform. Since it started, Instagram has gotten praise for its highly visual and easy-to-use interface. But lately, for many users, there’s growing unrest about the state of Instagram. For one, Instagram seems overloaded with too many advertisements and sponsored posts.

While ads have always been a part of the Facebook-owned app, they now seem to take up a more significant part of the feed. Even if your posts are incredibly popular, they might still get pushed out of the feed by paid posts. Another issue is that Instagram shifted toward an algorithm-based feed. That means that users see posts in a different order than the order in which they got posted.

And, of course, we also have the recent turn of events with Instagram wanting to be TikTok. To be fair, Instagram knows that TikTok’s gaining market share. And that’s especially true with the coveted young demographic. But Instagram’s gone off-script and is trying a bit too hard to become an algorithmic video app instead of what it was—a photo-sharing app. Chaos ensues!

Fewer friend updates and shifts to algorithm feeds

With the change in Instagram to algorithm-based feeds, users see fewer of their friend updates in the feed. Brands also get fewer people who follow them seeing their content. As you can see, that’s a problem. What’s the point of following a nonprofit brand only to have very few people see any posts or updates on social?

However, social media aims to surface the posts that get the most attention and engagement. So, their goals are different than your goals. That’s just the way it is. As we know, businesses and brands increasingly populate Instagram with posts. And in some instances, it makes users feel like it’s less a social networking app and more like a marketing platform. And that’s especially true for larger accounts frequently paid to share posts to drive traffic back to websites.

Other social media platforms to explore

If you’re feeling frustrated by Instagram (or want to unfollow Instagram), there are a few other social media apps to explore. Here are a few popular apps that give Instagram a run for its money.

• TikTok: This app is Instagram’s main competitor. It gained popularity quickly because it was an Instagram alternative. And now Instagram wants to be TikTok. Get it? Got it? Good. Anyhow, it’s the original place to share short, fun videos. The interface is easy to use and allows people and brands to express themselves creatively.
• Discord: This chat app, used mainly by gamers and people interested in creating art, is a great place to connect with others with similar interests in a group or community. Many subgroups exist where you can find like-minded people eager to collaborate and share their ideas.
• Snapchat: This photo and video app has been around for years but is still popular. It’s an easy way to share short visual content with friends. People can add text, emojis, lenses, and graphics to their photos and videos. And they can decide how long those photos are visible to others. (Pssst….Instagram copied that a long time ago).

Social hustling as everything changes continually

Social media continues to change, and probably another platform will be on the rise by the time this article posts. From being a way to stay in touch with friends and family to a place for brands to promote, social media is essential. In fact, it’s transformed how we as a society interact. Still, exploring alternatives makes sense with growing discontent among Instagram users and the rise of other social platforms.

With so many different apps, you’re sure to find one that meets your needs if you want to unfollow Instagram or explore alternatives. But be clear about what you want from your social media platforms. For instance, are you and your community seeking a more genuine user experience? Also, you want to make sure your supporters use the social platform. So, potentially surveying people makes sense as you explore social media marketing options.

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