Instagram: The Exodus is Here
Never put stock in any social media.
Easier said than done, particularly if you are an artist. Social media has been, by and large, a good thing for artists, at least for a while now. Through it, one can connect with other artists, meet potential new clients and fans, and generally get inspiration from the amazing work that appears on one’s feed.
Some of my latest art (a work in progress) that won’t be on Instagram.
But my thoughts on the benefits of social media have changed, particularly when it comes to Instagram. I was a frequent user of that platform, and, for a time, it was a good service. This past year, though, I’ve noticed far less interactivity and more algorithm manipulation. The result of the algorithm is damaging – particularly to artists who don’t have a large following (and popularity) on that platform. (Instagram chooses to put the most popular posts on everyone’s feed, to drive its own engagement numbers.) Slowly, but surely, engagement on my posts has dwindled to the point where the same 18 or so followers are seeing my work. (I can’t compete against an algorithm.)
Disappointing as the experience has been so far, the straw that broke the camel’s back happened about a week or so ago, when Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram, among others) announced that it would be using all content (photos, reels, illustrations, etc.) on its platforms to train generative AI art. Users of Facebook or Instagram can opt-out of this “feature” for future posts, but everything that has already been shared is fair game for Meta to use, as it sees fit.
I haven’t deleted my IG feed, but I have stopped posting new content. Many of the artists I follow on that platform have responded in the same fashion, while others continue to stick it out. The bottom line is that if the service is free, we (the users) are the product.
Given how important social media is for artists, I’m not quite sure what the solution is. A new upstart has come up, called Cara. Billed as a social media and portfolio platform for artists, Cara is currently in beta. The company promises a hard stance against AI art and generative AI content. But again, the service is free, so who really knows what their end game is.
While I feel strongly about having your own portfolio site, it can be difficult when it comes to engagement and discoverability.
I’m not sure how I’ll handle the sweeping change that’s coming. In the meantime, I’ll continue to post content on my own websites.
-Krishna
Update: To add fuel to the fire, Instagram is currently testing “unstoppable” video ads. It’s all the more reason to leave the platform, in my opinion.
Corey Johnston
June 2, 2024 at 10:17 pmKrishna, I’m following your blog posts using an RSS feed. I’m hoping that method comes back, as this “put your portfolio on a platform” nonsense is getting old after all these years. I’m not sure who it’s convenient for anymore, since most publishing/gaming/entertainment industries don’t use those sites anymore—there’s plenty of applicants coming to directly to them and the agents they rely upon as gatekeepers. And the Agents don’t even use those sites anymore—they can’t find anyone and they’re inundated with query letters already…
Yes, I found you through Mastodon, but now that I have your website….
Krishna
June 2, 2024 at 10:20 pmThanks, Corey! I hope some of the older ways (web rings, discussion forums, etc.) will make a comeback. They each have their own caveats, but they are not swayed by an algorithm.
June Norsworthy
June 3, 2024 at 11:47 amYikes!!! Meta announced that it would be using all content (photos, reels, illustrations, etc.) on its platforms to train generative AI art.
What a disclosure.
What about copyrights?
How does one opt out?
Fair game, eh?
I am speechless. Don’t know what to think about AI studying my work and learning my work to what end?
Krishna
June 3, 2024 at 1:56 pmEverything that’s been posted on one’s feed is already harvested for Meta’s use. Sad, but true. Deleting one’s feed won’t solve the problem, as they already have the content and may have already incorporated it into their AI art generation tool.
Carrie Teckmyer
June 7, 2024 at 11:57 amWow!
Thank you for the update on these social media platforms. I had somewhat of a feeling that this was happening anyway but the way it was announced so matter of fact is very Concerning. Stealing others art and creativity has been something that has been a plague on artists forever and hard to combat. Now social media sites tell you after years of use by artists that now all your work is being used to promote the growth of AI platforms. It is shameless. I really hope that platforms like Cara take off so there are safe places for artists to share their work. My son informed me about this also and directed me to applications that change your art ever so slightly to make it I believe unreadable by AI. I am going to look into it and see if it can benefit myself and other artist friend with similar concerns. There was or is a bill that was in the process of being passed (I am not sure mind you if it was squashed yet or the current state of activity with it) I am looking into it today. it is about reparations to artists and to stop AI using others art for profit without actual consent.