The hidden engagement
Social media — where to begin? I found myself inspired to write about it today and highlight some things about the story feature.
When Instagram first adopted the disappearing story thing back in 2016, which they snatched from Snapchat, I thought it was cool because I’d been wanting to try it but didn’t want to get on Snapchat. Why? It just never appealed to me. (Find me where a conversation can be had!)
So, I tried the disappearing story feature and soon enough I was hooked. I don’t know what it was about it, but man, I felt compelled to share too much on that space. What made it a most needed feature was that only mostly friends, the people you intended to share silly snippets of life with, without having to post it on your main feed, were watching your stories.
But with a public profile, you could add a location or hashtag anytime you wanted and your page would get a little more exposure. It was weird and cool. (This part had its pros and cons, but let’s get into that later.) This was back when Instagram was still an organically functioning platform.
Fast-forward to the IG we know today, and it’s a total sh*t show.
Since some of us kind of do better with a public profile, our content is open to invasion. You have the bots, stalkers, nosy, and the genuinely curious people trying to watch everything you upload. When you’re just marketing your content (and this is the pro that I wanted to mention) and everyone shows up, that’s great. That’s the goal. But that doesn’t even work anymore.
As soon as the IG algorithm catches you linking back to another website or to another post, the engagement decreases drastically. This is no coincidence. They deliberately developed it that way, no matter how many times they try to deny it. And it’s greedy and vicious, but I guess it’s their private property?
Social media companies will still make their money, while small accounts on their platforms will just get maybe one or two hits from that linking. They couldn’t care less if you don’t succeed, but god forbid you “steal” some pennies from them in that little 24-hour window. Most recently, I posted some photographs that I captured myself, which I captioned with a poem. The pictures aren’t even that aesthetic, but IG determined that my post looked like a “paid partnership” post and that I should review the guidelines and tag any partner. I don’t know if I should be flattered or if I should pack my stuff and go.
If you want any, and I mean any kind of real organic exposure now, you’ve better pay them. The free marketing in the past was the pro. It was fun while it lasted. The con is, evidently, everything else. You’re just providing them with free content so they can make money off you, when you can’t even get some decent views.
Currently, my problem with the IG feed and the disappearing stories is that it feels like a true waste of time. Yesterday’s reasons to join social media are not the same as today’s for me. Back then, I used to do it just for fun or to share a quote or two. Now, although I want “fun” to always be part of anything I do, I often post something just as a call-to-action; to attract visitors to my blog, my books, store, etc.
A lot of people on social media don’t realize that the likes, shares, and comments boost your posts so the algorithm can show it to more people. Some people can’t see—and don’t care—that, as opposed to the so-called influencers who may not even have anything to offer, it is not a popularity contest for some of us. Sometimes it’s work. We’re just trying to push our creations to the surface in an overflowing pool of content.
Personally, I like to engage with people’s posts when I can, especially if I know they could use the boost. That’s the whole point of social media: to connect. But I, on the other hand, seem to attract very unresponsive followers and snoopers story viewers. Unless you’ve muted me, if you can see my story, I’m sure you can see my post. No? Never? Funny how the bathing suit pictures do make it…
Believe it or not, there are people who watch every story but have never interacted with me privately or publicly. There are people who’ve even hidden their story from me, yet they’re still able to watch mine. I’m honestly a little annoyed by that, but it goes away once I remind myself that, after all, SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT REAL LIFE.
Still, and not to brag, I think I might be one of the only people who hasn’t created a green-circle friends-only group for IG stories. Maybe I haven’t had a reason or maybe I’m more transparent than most people on there. [sips tea] That’s not to say I haven’t hidden my stories from some major snoops that have gone too far on the snooping scale. Or maybe from a 13-year-old family member who has no business watching my adult conversations. You get the point. Everyone has their reason to do what they do, but some reasons are unreasonable.
Twitter used to be my escape whenever I felt Instagram wasn’t right for a certain post, especially words, but we all know how that’s going there, after the takeover. That’s why I’m trying to bring more attention back to my blog, where I don’t have to post a booty picture along with my words to get any attention at all. I hope?
If I knew then what I know now, I would not have abandoned my (no longer updated) artsy blog, which had an impressive growing audience for what it was. Who knew people liked amateur art… But isn’t that life? It never gives you a sneak-preview.
This drama I’m writing isn’t pointless. I’m doing it because I’m not just an author; I’m a content creator who loves sharing her (bit of) wisdom, stories, and photos through her channels, but is having a hard time seeing the benefits of social media lately—and knows that many others can relate. This is just so we can whine together. I know most readers will keep scrolling, but I’m leaving this here anyway.
Don’t forget to scroll and overshare responsibly!
