Personally, I use Instagram to see what my friends are doing and I’m not interested in the random addictive feed. So I just use Instagram from the web (safari on mobile) and use AdGuard to block the search feed thing. I even waste less time now
I deleted instagram on the phone, and use it exclusively (1 or 2 times per day) on the computer through a browser. With uBlock origins, there's no ads, no boomerangs, no "live" part. Now, since Instagram doesn't seem to get a good signal on what I find interesting, I quickly get bored within 5-10 posts, and shut it. That helped me kick the "check every 10 minutes" habit.
Instagram is the only point I’ll disagree on - it’s mostly become promoted content with friends content representing a fraction of what you’re being exposed to
Best is to not have the app and use it through the browser to avoid mindlock
I can't run an ad blocker on the Instagram app, but I really don't mind much. I end up clicking on ads all the time there. They're usually super relevant.
Instagram is already barely usable, and I spend there 10 time less than before. I used Instagram to check what my friends are doing; now it is mostly ads and completely boring “suggestions”.
I actually have found that I am moving further and further away from using Instagram due to the ads. My feed is primary filled up with ads, links to other accounts with ads, and very few pictures that are worth actually following. But with the increase in teens using Instagram vs Facebook. I guess I understand the draw for advertisers.
The problem is I get more viewers on Instagram than with hosted stuff. So ideally I would love to not use Instagram, but I guess I feel my hand is forced :/
I have been using Instagram from 2011, with less than 100 subscriptions (mostly friends). Uninstalled it last month because of the compulsive story checks and the new messy algorithmic feed. Now I get there from iPad once a week.
My Instagram feed is curated because it’s entirely for cat images and cat rescues, which for better or worse, there’s an over abundance of on the internet, so Instagram will never really need to start putting random depressing stuff on my feed.
Everything else I’m off of.
A necessary first step for my social media detox was deleting the apps. I started by only accessing them through the browser, so I wasn’t fully cut off, but I also didn’t have the fully curated experience that allows the social media platforms to really take over your senses.
I have moved to a pattern of “install instagram, login in, add a post, and then uninstall”
i.e I’m only interested in adding content to it, for the purpose of broadcasting it to my friends. I can’t fight the algorithm, no matter how much I know about it, I know that I would be sucked right in.
I use Instagram for my hobby/business (coin & paper money collecting & dealing). I have mercilessly curated my feed to be ONLY people who post content purely related to the numismatic world. No real-life friends, no travel posts from random semi-friends, no selfies, none of that garbage. If someone starts posting it, I unfollow them.
And for the ads -- I click on ads related to cat toys and pet food, just to let the algorithm know to feed me more of it.
SO: My instagram feed is 100% hobby-related posts & cats. I think I may be victorious (for the time being....).
PS: Stay AWAY from the "Explore" tab. That is an endless dopamine well of misery.
I was an early instagram adopter and have definitely felt my feelings change to it over the last 2 years. It's gone from being excited to check my feed to a sense of dread.
Used to be something I'd do up to 10 times a day, now sometimes once a week and when I do I often intentionally avoid the feeds and just search for specific people I want to see because I don't want to see what a lot of people I follow that I know IRL are doing.
Honestly with all the changes to Instagram I find myself using the app less and less. The changes I'm thinking about are ads in the feed and random content to drive engagement.
Both of these things are driving me to use the app less.
I'm realizing that Facebook does two things builds a social network and then strip mines it off all value.
Exactly. I just use instagram to msg people who aren't on Telegram and other services as I don't have FB. I don't think I've ever used the feed before, simply because of seeing ads. I never watch stories either. It's a dumpster fire, and any algorithm to show me stuff is a mistake, full stop. I only want to see my friends stuff chronologically, nothing else on the app matters for me.
I genuinely don't understand why they do this. Sure, keep the ads, whatever, but make it chronological. Too many busy bodies I guess?
I only use a third party app to browse Instagram, which both blocks advertisements and stories. I keep the main app on my phone and only use it to create posts of my own. Whenever I open it I'm amazed at the sheer quantity of nonsense that's hurled at the user. I have no idea how people can put up with it.
In Instagram's case, it's trivial to profile people by what they follow, and the platform has become heavily laden with ads. It was too much for me to bear, and the main reason I left it.
Also, I don't know about global statistics, but in the UK amongst adults, adblocker usage is around 22%. Delivering ads to these people becomes far easier in smartphone apps.
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