The TikTok ban pushed by Zuckerberg and Meta has completely backfired. People aren’t switching to Reels—and who can blame them? It’s buggy, crashes constantly, doesn’t save drafts, and is full of toxic content and out-of-control comments. The algorithm is a trainwreck. No one engages, and instead, it’s just people from your past silently stalking you. Meta has ignored what users want and consistently made Instagram worse. They tried to turn it into a TikTok clone, and now it’s spiraling into oblivion. The App Store reviews say it all: people are done. I miss the old Instagram—the chronological feeds, no ads, and actually seeing my friends’ posts instead of endless suggested content. Facebook ruined it, just like they ruined Facebook itself. Social media was about connection, but now it’s a noisy, ad-driven mess. I don’t care about Reels, TikTok, or monetizing myself—I just want a platform that feels real again. Is anyone else done with this?
I totally agree with this! Instagram has strayed so far from what made it great in the first place. The push for Reels feels forced, and the user experience just isn't the same anymore. For those looking for an alternative social media experience with more control and better features, check out Honista APK at https://hoonista.com. It offers a refreshing take on social media without the overwhelming ads and algorithm frustration. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Hi Well, actually, I wouldn't say that, again, if we're comparing with tiktok, then yes, the Rils are dead. However, Instagram is not only real estate, it is a whole social network where you can communicate with people, post photos and much more. So it's different for everyone.
I agree with you that this platform used to be better. But unlike you, I feel like younger people like this model more. Maybe we're getting old.
I like seeing small reels on the niches I'm interested in, therefore I don't mind what Zuckerberk has done.
I still use Instagram, but I definitely notice the difference from how it was years ago. The biggest problem for me is that it feels less personal now. I open the app expecting to see updates from friends and end up scrolling through random recommended posts and ads. Reels can be entertaining, but sometimes it feels like the whole platform is chasing trends instead of improving the actual social experience. I wouldn’t say it’s dead yet, but it lost a lot of the simplicity that made people enjoy it in the first place.
No, you’re definitely not the only one! I sometimes open Instagram just to see what people I know are posting, and somehow end up watching 20 Reels from people I’ve never even heard of. Meanwhile, my friend’s post is probably buried somewhere in the archives. Feels like social media is more about keeping you scrolling than actually connecting with people these days
100%. If you care about real organic growth, YouTube and TikTok have the best distribution algorithms by far. TikTok nails rapid short-form discovery, and YouTube builds sustainable authority. Instagram’s algorithm just feels confused, pushing desperate Reels and endless sponsored posts to users who just wanted to see their friends.
I don't know if it's still alive or not, but ever since its inception, Insta never appealed to me. It basically does what FB is already doing, so why do it again (sharing photos, videos, messages, etc. with family and friends)? Kinda pointless.