Is it Farewell to Instagram in 2026?

At the beginning of 2026, I was saddened to discover that one of my close connections on Instagram had deactivated her account.

Without ever having met Sarah, I could tell she is a genuine and compassionate person. Social media needs people like Sarah. The world needs people like Sarah.

But I can’t say I was surprised.

In the run-up to Christmas, she shared a story about some challenges she’d encountered from another Instagram user. She said:

Instagram is full of scammers and stalkers 😅. Had a bit of a situation myself. A man that I had to block then set up a page pretending to be a woman, followed my page, and other pages that I follow 🤯. Sometimes I feel like completely leaving and being in my own wee bubble again 😄. Anyway, I hope you’re keeping well aside from the nonsense on here 🤗.

This individual was jealous, possessive, and had been spying on Sarah’s friends and family. I suspect he (and his female alter ego) may even be on my own follower list.

My reaction to Instagram

That situation gave me pause for thought. What is it I actually want from Instagram? And is the time I spend there worth it?

I probably average an hour a day on the platform. I try to be authentic and take time to enjoy photography from a wide range of people. I might hit the like button too often, but it’s my way of saying, “Hey, I enjoyed your picture.”

It does make me laugh how hitting like ❤️ often triggers people to like my recent photos in return. It’s as if they’d forgotten me until my nudge.

The value of Instagram recognition

For a hobbyist photographer with no business to promote, Instagram today offers limited value. I’m grateful for the people I connect with, but images are consumed quickly. Someone might like a photo, fewer will comment, and then they move on. Is there real value in a picture being seen for seconds and forgotten?

I joined Instagram for two reasons. First, insecurity — the fear that nobody would ever see my photographs. Second, to learn from other photographers and enjoy their work.

I dealt with the first issue some time ago as my mindset matured. The process of creating helps quieten my busy mind and encourages me to explore new places. I also have Instagram connections to thank for discovering new locations, challenges, and techniques.

Yet out of a thousand followers, engagement only happens with a few dozen people. How is this meant to work? I could never meaningfully engage with the 900 accounts I follow. It would take eternity.

Ironically, the images I enjoy creating most get the least traction. Light painting is niche and will never compete with sunsets and auroras — and that’s fine. But it does beg the question: what am I actually trying to achieve here?

Praise? Connection? Or something else entirely?

Over the New Year, I decided to publish for myself — what I want and when I want — regardless of what the algorithm prefers. During 2026, I plan to develop a new portfolio on a separate platform, sell prints, and free myself from the social media posting rhythm.

A compliment worth a million likes

While I was contemplating these changes, I received the biggest compliment of all. A local artist on Instagram, whom I met through a local printer, created an artistic impression of one of my photographs.

I was genuinely thrilled — not just by the artwork, but by the fact that one of my images had inspired someone else to create.

And yet, as 2025 ended, I felt increasingly disillusioned by the constant pressure to post in order to satisfy an algorithm.

What keeps me on Instagram?

Despite everything, my overall experience on Instagram has been positive, and I don’t plan to quit. The main benefits for me are:

• Discovering local photographers and the camaraderie that comes with shared moments, like witnessing the Northern Lights together.
• Enjoying incredible images from both professionals and amateurs.
• Learning about locations right on my doorstep.
• Finding inspiration that encourages me to try new techniques.
• And quite simply, it’s where people I know in real life already are.

What turns me off Instagram?

Instagram demands time. Without regular housekeeping, an account quickly fills with fake connections.

My main frustrations are:

• Spam accounts wanting to “make friends” — easily reduced by not using a male profile photo.
• Constant algorithm changes and the platform’s preference for video reels. I refuse to bend my creativity to suit them.
• Time (worth mentioning twice).
• A lack of reciprocity — engagement from a thousand followers is vanishingly small.

The negatives are beginning to outweigh the positives. Since Christmas, I’ve found myself opening the app, glancing at a photo or two, and closing it again. I’ve lost the will.

My future on Instagram

I’m adopting a quieter presence.

I’ll refresh my favourites list, keeping it to active accounts I genuinely care about. Instagram allows up to 50 favourites — those are the people I want to engage with properly.

From 2026 onwards, I’ll devote more quality time to the hobby itself: creating a fresh portfolio, building a local presence, and looking for opportunities to share physical prints.

A new portfolio site is planned to replace my free Adobe Portfolio, and the money that might have gone on Instagram's verified blue tick can instead support that. It will also open the door to an online shop and help build a stronger local profile.

Photography is a process. I’m content if no one sees the result. What matters most is how I felt making the picture — and the memory I bring home.

Thanks for reading this far. If you found this story helpful, please consider buying me a coffee. It would mean so much. 😊