What Happened to Instagram? The Rise, The Fall, and Everything In Between

It's been yearsss since I deactivated my "content creator" account and opted to use social media as more of a spectator. But Instagram has always been my golden app - more specifically circa 2015/2016 aka their "BEST YEARS"! As a matter of fact, I started my blog as an extension of what I was posting on my Instagram - a place to share more photos and information on activities.

If you’ve been on Instagram recently, you might have noticed something...different. It’s like the app that once felt like a cozy little corner to share photos with friends has transformed into a fast-paced shopping mall, a Reel-a-thon, and maybe even a mini TikTok wannabe! So, what did happen to Instagram, and where’s it going next?

Grab a cup of coffee (or matcha, if you’re feeling fancy), and let’s dive into the rise, fall, and the uncertain future of Instagram – a journey through filters, feeds, and far too many #ad posts.

1. The Golden Age of Filters and Feeds

Let’s rewind to the early days. Remember when Instagram was all about snapping a pic, throwing on a Valencia or X-Pro II filter, and sharing it with a cute caption? Back then, the platform felt like a photo album for our lives – brunch pics, sunsets, OOTDs (outfit of the day). Instagram was all about connecting and creativity. It was simple, authentic, and, dare I say, wholesome?

Personal flashback: I remember my very first post – a picture of my morning coffee with the “Rise” filter slapped on. Not exactly groundbreaking, but it was the little things that made Instagram so much fun.

2. Enter the Influencers and #Ad Life

As Instagram grew, it attracted everyone from big brands to small businesses, and voilà! Influencers were born. Suddenly, Instagram was the go-to for discovering new products, style inspo, and a good slice of envy pie, served with a side of “Why doesn’t my life look like that?”

For a while, this was exciting! We all wanted to know what skincare products our favorite beauty bloggers were using or what travel bloggers were wearing on their latest trip. Instagram had this vibe of endless possibilities, like you could discover a new trend every time you scrolled. But then, ads took over our feeds, and suddenly every photo was sponsored.

3. Stories Take Over – Because Everyone Loves a Good Story!

Instagram’s next big shift came with the introduction of Stories in 2016. Inspired by Snapchat (and let's be honest, we all saw it), Stories took off. Suddenly, everyone was sharing real-time, raw snippets of their lives. And for a moment, the platform had that authentic, spontaneous feel again – even though we were all still glued to our screens.

Stories felt like the heart of Instagram, where everything was a little less polished and a little more personal. And you know what? We loved it! But, as Instagram kept growing, things started to get…well, complicated.

4. Reels, Algorithms, and the TikTok Effect

Enter TikTok, the app that took the world by storm with its quick, quirky videos. Instagram took notes and soon launched Reels in 2020. Now, don’t get me wrong – I love a good Reel! Who doesn’t? It’s fun to scroll through them, and they’re great for creators. But for the average Instagram user, Reels felt like a major shift from the usual vibe.

Suddenly, it was all about the algorithm and going viral. Many of us found ourselves wondering, Is Instagram trying to be TikTok now? The answer: Yes… kind of. Instagram’s new goal became maximizing our screen time, and Reels was their ticket to making that happen. But while Reels brought a lot of creativity, it also made Instagram feel a bit chaotic, like a mashup of every other app.

5. Shop Till You Drop: The In-App Shopping Invasion

As if the influencers and ads weren’t enough, Instagram doubled down on shopping by turning our feeds into full-on digital storefronts. This might sound fun if you love shopping, but let’s be real: most of us went to Instagram for the connection, not the “Add to Cart” button.

Today, every scroll feels like an invitation to buy something. From skincare to gadgets to clothes, Instagram became less of a social app and more of an online mall – which was, let’s face it, not what any of us signed up for.

6. The Rise of Complicated Algorithms and Decline of the Feed

Remember the days when you’d open Instagram and see your friends’ latest posts in chronological order? Ah, the simplicity! These days, the algorithm decides what you see based on what it thinks you want to see. While it might seem efficient, the algorithm has become more of a guessing game that keeps users scrolling without really knowing why.

This shift has left a lot of people feeling, well, disconnected. Instagram is now about what’s trending, what’s popular, and what can keep you glued to the app the longest. It’s a far cry from the photo-sharing app that started in 2010.

7. So, Is Instagram Over?

With all these changes, it’s no wonder people are asking, Is Instagram on its way out? Some users are moving to apps like TikTok, BeReal, or even going back to the basics with simple photo-sharing apps. The appeal of Instagram is still there, but it’s lost some of its original charm.

My take? Instagram still has its place – it’s where I connect with friends and family. But it’s definitely not the Instagram I first fell in love with. It feels like a platform going through an identity crisis, unsure if it’s a photo album, a shopping mall, or a mini-TV station. And while that can be fun, it can also make you wonder if it’s time to start looking for something new.

Will Instagram Stay or Go?

Instagram might be evolving in ways that make it hard to recognize, but that doesn’t mean it’s doomed. While some users may leave, Instagram has a knack for adapting, so it’s likely here to stay – though we might not know exactly what it’ll look like next month, let alone next year!

So, next time you scroll, take a second to remember the Instagram of the past, and enjoy the wild, crazy, algorithm-driven ride that Instagram is today.