Why Instagram is still worth keeping

Instagram has changed a lot since it first launched and massively grew in popularity in the early 2010s. When I first joined, no one cared about going viral, getting brand deals, or taking the most high-quality camera phone images possible (phone camera quality has, for the record, also changed a lot in the last 15 years, but in this case, for the better).

We mostly just followed people we knew, took slightly grainy photos of our meals and sunsets and nights out with our friends (but not before slapping on the perfect filter, preferably with a nice frame). The app was mostly just for sharing innocent images of us living our lives. More of it was authentic then, or at the very least, it was easier to believe it was.

In recent years, many content creators -- myself included -- have begun to question whether or not continuing to invest time and resources into Instagram is worth it. Is it worth posting a Reel when TikTok might potentially reach more people? Is it worth posting an image when the algorithm isn't going to show it even to those who already follow your account? Does it still matter?

The biggest reason continuing to post on Instagram is the smartest choice for content creators is the concept everyone groans about but simultaneously needs: networking. The phrases "it's about who you know" and "you never know who might come across your content" aren't just mantras. Content creators and influencers who are trying to build brands and/or make money off their posts need all the reach they can get.

And the reality is, people are still using Instagram every day even if they don't like it. Likely for this and similar reasons. You just never know if a post is going to lead to an opportunity. As content creators, opportunities are often what propel us forward, especially when the grind becomes draining.

Instagram may be different than it used to be, but that doesn't mean it's a total lost cause.