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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think that instagram has jumped the shark?

396 replies

boredyboredy · 14/08/2018 15:33

I used to really love instagram it as a place to get inspiration, eduction or a point in the right direction to go do some research myself on various topics, but am getting bored of it.

The influencer wars (with some clearly playing the game more than others Hmm ), the woke activists who are beginning to believe their own hype (their content becoming about them and how good they are), even the naice art and design accounts that I predominately follow are beginning to be a little lacking.

AIBU to think that insta is in a death spiral? If so (because clearly I have forgotten life before it) where do people find informative and / or creative inspiration outside of it these days. Blogs seem to have died, and facebook is a non starter!

NC because well I am bored!

OP posts:
Disquieted1 · 14/08/2018 15:34

It's a busted flush that has shot its bolt.

prunemerealgood · 14/08/2018 15:37

Watching with interest....

The woke activists are a thing in my sector and honestly make me want to scream. The narcissism is quite scary in a couple of them...and I hate seeing good people sucked into their miasma.

Naice art and design is still ok where I am though. It's just a bit nothingy after a while.

beingthere · 14/08/2018 15:37

Definitely. It’s become downmarket, the Burberry of the social networks!

Catrina1234 · 14/08/2018 15:43

I've been trying to get on instagram today to see pictures of my niece and I seemed to manage it - a list came up of the people I might follow and niece was first on the list and saw all her photos, but then I couldn't get back to the list and was frustrated. I don't really understand the comments above as you are all well into instagram but are critical of it?

lastnamefirstfirstnamelast · 14/08/2018 15:43

yep, i agree, I like watching the stories when I'm bored but now its just adverts.

beingthere · 14/08/2018 15:45

I’m not “well into it” at all! People put their stuff on there that I want to see, doesn’t mean I like it.

HolyMountain · 14/08/2018 15:46

How has it ‘become downmarket’ and what are the alternatives? It’s cheaper and more convenient than buying magazines, surely that will help it to retain its appeal?

It’s the only platform I use, mainly for fashion and home interior inspiration , I love a mooch around it at night.

It is a monster now ( the Instamums for example have saturated it) compared to its early days when it was just pretty scenery and food but still very useful as long as it’s not taken too seriously.

Sitranced · 14/08/2018 15:53

You're stuck in an algorithm bubble. Start searching for new stuff, comment on more things, delete old accounts and make new hastags. You will only see different things if you interact with it differently.

ShirleyPhallus · 14/08/2018 15:54

What’s a woke activist?

Original poster
boredyboredy · 14/08/2018 15:55

I don't think its downmarket - although definitely some people are more Sun than Guardian, but thats the case with any social media platform - each to their own and there is space for everyone out there.

I used to be able to find really interesting people and accounts and find it a more targeted source of information and inspiration - but I really struggle with sifting through what appeals and what doesn't now. Its like the 'September issue of Vogue' - full of ads and not much substance!

But I am really struggling for what the alternative these days is....

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beingthere · 14/08/2018 15:57

HolyMountain The alternatives are the paid for sites that you have to be invited to join and are “exclusive” so my niece tells me!

Private members clubs if you will, not just s site anybokd poster can join apparently lol!

prunemerealgood · 14/08/2018 15:58

A woke activist is someone who claims to actively campaign against racism, sexism, ableism and for gay and trans rights, no matter the issue. But more specifically, if you don't frame a response 100% correctly, you're toast. They are the bullies of the social media world who have found a whole new way to keep folk under their thumbs.

beingthere · 14/08/2018 15:59

anybokd? “any old...” I think that was supposed to say.

ItsColdNow · 14/08/2018 15:59

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HolyMountain · 14/08/2018 16:00

being okGrin.

You’ve piqued my curiosity ,what paid for sites , like a private Instagram for the selected few?

bibbidybobbidyboo · 14/08/2018 16:01

Yeah, can someone explain the woke activist thing? What sorts of stuff are they posting/ what do you mean by them believing their own hype?

I uninstalled Instagram about three months ago after being a very frequent user (think an hour or more a day). I felt like my "habit" had gotten out of control and I wasn't actually gaining any joy or inspiration from what I was seeing. The first week without it was bizarre but now I barely notice that it has gone. The platform is just teeming with stuff- buy more stuff, like more stuff, covet more stuff, absorb more stuff. My head feels a lot clearer without it.

Kismett · 14/08/2018 16:03

I don’t follow any mum influencers or anything like that, so it’s fine for me. I’ve met some nice people that follow the same hobbies as me. I have not noticed a change in quality of postings.

Original poster
boredyboredy · 14/08/2018 16:03

Sitranced - its hard to break that algorithm! I did a huge clear out of pages last year and started to build up again and have really tried to broaden where I get info re accounts. For the first few years of the platform it was really easy to navigate to something different. But I find now it doesnt matter if they are a photographer or a youtuber turne instagrammer, all the accounts are just turning a bit samey and commercial.

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cardibach · 14/08/2018 16:05

I don’t use Instagram like this. For me and all my friends it’s for Selected best pics of what we’ve been up to. My niece uses it a bit for her business as an onl8ne presence, but since a lot of her appeal is in it being a small, family affair it looks a lot like a private account. I don’t follow insta,UK’s, or businesses, or use it for inspiration (inspiration for what???) and wouldn’t know how.
Maybe this is why I love it.

cardibach · 14/08/2018 16:06

Excuse all the typos. My iPad hates me. Hope it’s clear.

HolyMountain · 14/08/2018 16:06

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Original poster
boredyboredy · 14/08/2018 16:09

@Kismet - I follow very few 'mum' accounts - most of the accounts I follow are political or design / art. I guess I don't have a 'hobby' type interest where I can see how it would be really great for connecting with people on.

@bibbidybobbidyboo - I totally hear you! I really want to uninstall but then I really enjoy reading about political issues and also looking for design and art inspiration and want to find an alternative platform so I can get rid of it!

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Original poster
boredyboredy · 14/08/2018 16:12

@cardi - inspiration for anything really - home, cooking, fashion, garden, art. I like researching and getting ideas for stuff and instagram used to be great for it. I get that some people are not into that type of stuff but i find enjoyment in being creative.

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Gobbolinothewitchscat · 14/08/2018 16:13

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