Meta Verified Means Instagram is Dead

Now, I hate to be that guy, but...

Let’s talk about Instagram

There’s multiple reasons to hate Instagram:

1. You can't post horizontal and vertical photos within the same post. There's no technological reason for this, it's their design choice, and it annoys me to no end.
2. Now, it's heavily focused on short form vertical video content. It's all the same nonsense you see on every other platform now.
3. Too many bots.
4. Ads ads ads.

On top of all of that, Meta has just put the final nail in Instagram's coffin. Instagram is now a pay to play platform. If you want your content shown, it'll cost you. What this means, is that organic growth is a thing of the past.

What really stands out to me, is the following quote and subsequent footnote from Meta's own blog post:

“Increased visibility and reach with prominence in some areas of the platform– like search, comments and recommendations.¹

¹ Increased visibility may vary depending on a subscriber’s existing audience size and the topic of their posts. Subscribers with a smaller following may see a more noticeable impact to their reach since their audiences are smaller…”
Meta Verified Blog Post on Facebook

Instagram is already a garbage platform with fake followers, shallow influencers, phony people, and a deemphasis on photography. However, now to even get noticed or views, you have to pay. No thanks.

As a hobbyist photographer, the ability to share photos and see what others are posting with similar interests is no longer possible on Instagram. Now it's promoted content and videos that you can literally see on any other platform.

Even though Facebook is still owned by Meta, posting photos is much easier, they get seen by more people, and you can easily share them with groups that you’re interested in. So even though I’ve deleted the Instagram app from my phone, I’ll still continue to share photos on Facebook.