Is Instagram Dying?

It seems that the general consensus is that we are a little unhappy with Instagram these days.

In fact, many people are speculating - is instagram dying? Well, while it is true that the app is going through an apparent identity crisis, I want to make the case on why this is far from the truth.

TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY | GOOGLE PODCASTS

Instagram is certainly not dead or dying. As of right now, there are almost 1.5 billion monthly active users for the year 2022. I repeat - 1.5 billion active users. Don’t get me wrong, I, too, am frustrated that my in-feed photos are not getting as much reach as they used to. However, it is important to remember that videos were almost always part of the platform.

From a company perspective, it makes complete sense why Instagram is pushing this type of content more. Aside from their push to make the app more comparable to TikTok, it boils down to the notion that video content will always be more engaging than photos. Thus, Instagram pushes video because they want to encourage all of its users to spend more time on their app.

This goes beyond instagram too. It seems every platform is making a large push towards more video content. So rather than fight the various apps and their respective algorithms, we have to learn to understand that changes are natural and part of the ebb-and-flow of social media.

That being said, let’s jump into some of the most important reasons as to why instagram is not dying and is still more important than ever.

1. There are so many ways to express yourself.

Instagram has a variety of ways for you to push out content. From in-feed photos, Reels, stories, live video, guides (which is essentially a short-from blog), bio information, DMs, and highlights. This is a grand total of 6 different ways in which you can push out your personal brand - all in one app. So you can see, Instagram is a great place to really let your personality shine bright.

2. You can foster strong relationships with your followers.

Perhaps most important of all are direct messages on instagram. Hands down, this is the best way to foster a strong relationship. It allows you to build a back-and-forth communication with your fans while also helping you to develop a personal brand. YouTube does not have this direct follower-to-creator communication and TikTok’s messaging is not strong enough either.

Similarly, stories also offer another convenient way to show up for your audience. With these ephemeral photos and videos, you can quickly, efficiently and directly engage with your followers. Additionally, do not discount your bio either! This is another way to showcase potential followers that you are about and why they should follow you.

3. There is less of a learning curve.

It is 100% free for anyone to start instagram because all you need is your phone. Unlike a blog space, there is no need to pay for any start-up costs such as a domain. Plus, there is less of a learning curve for Instagram compared to some of the other social media platforms. For instance, when it comes to YouTube, it is a lot harder to consistently put out high-quality long-form videos. So when it comes down to it, Instagram still remains a more approachable way to build up a loyal, sticky audience.

4. There are plenty of growth opportunities.

As Adam Mosseri (head of Instagram) has preached many times by now - Reels are the best way to reach new people. As long as you are implementing the right content and the right content strategy, you should be seeing traction from your videos. As proof, there are new influencers popping up left and right with ample opportunities and paid brand deals. There is no better time than now to start capitalizing on short-form video.

5. Repurpose, repurpose, repurpose.

One of the most notable benefits about making short-form video is the fact that you can repurpose it to almost any other platform. You can take your Reel and share it again on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Facebook Reels, and even LinkedIn if you desire. This is all with little to no extra work.

6. TikTok is not favorable for creators.

At the end of the day, the TikTok algorithm is not designed to promote creators. It focuses on topics rather than the people each user followers. Let’s face it, people generally consume content via the For You page which means it is harder for your followers to get to know you. Because of this, it also means that brand deals are less lucrative than Instagram because the reach can be so incredibly inconsistent.

Long story short, no, Instagram is not dead. But as you can see, it is imperative to learn how to adapt to the platform and its changes if you are looking to make it as an influencer. Hopping on the short-form video wave is the best way to gain momentum.

I urge you to start creating now because every time you make a video, you improve your skills. Take action today and start posting consistently on Instagram as well as all the other platforms. It is up to you to seize the opportunity and capitalize on short-form video while it is still aggressively popular.

If you want to learn more about succeeding on social media, then I invite you to come to my free, live training which will be taking place on September 17, 2022. During this session, I will be revealing my best kept secrets that I used to find success on Instagram and other social media platforms. Hope to see you there!