The Brutal Truth About #InstagramPoetry: Likes Don't Pay the Bills (and Neither Do Most Followers)
An opinion piece.
Let's face it, the #InstagramPoetry scene is a dumpster fire. You pour your soul onto the page, hit post, and...crickets. Or worse, a barrage of generic comments and lazy likes that feel more like consolation prizes than genuine engagement. It's like attending a poetry slam where everyone throws lukewarm pizza slices at the stage instead of actual roses.
Look, here's the deal:
Those likes? They're the participation trophies of poetry. People are trigger-happy with that damn heart button, scrolling mindlessly without actually reading your work. It's the literary equivalent of getting a participation award for showing up to gym class in your pajamas.
The commenters? Forget insightful critiques. You're lucky if you get anything beyond "beautiful" or a string of fire emojis. Imagine Michelangelo posting a picture of the Sistine Chapel ceiling and getting bombarded with comments like "Wowza! Majestic!" That's the level of discourse we're dealing with here.
This performative BS isn't community, it's a cheap imitation. You crave real connection, feedback that makes your writing stronger. Not empty gestures that vanish faster than yesterday's latte art. These comments are the literary equivalent of those "inspirational" quotes with stock photos of sunsets and beaches - pretty to look at, but ultimately meaningless.
And don't even get me started on the "community." It's more like a narcissistic echo chamber, everyone too busy hawking their own verses to give a damn about yours. It's like a bad open mic night where everyone just reads their grocery list and shuffles off the stage without listening to anyone else.
The truth is, chasing validation on Instagram is a losing game. It sucks the creative fuel right out of you, leaving you questioning your entire purpose as a poet. It's like being in a relationship where your partner only compliments your outfit and never asks about your dreams.
So, what'd I do? I bounced. Ditched Instagram altogether. No tearful goodbye, no lingering hope. Because if they truly cared, they would have shown it before. Like a gambler who finally realizes the roulette wheel is rigged, I cashed out my chips and walked away.
Is there a better platform out there? Honestly, who knows? Maybe Twitter, maybe some dusty poetry forum in the forgotten corners of the internet. Maybe there's a hidden virtual speakeasy filled with passionate wordsmiths, just waiting to be discovered. The point is, I'm exploring new options, seeking a space where engagement goes beyond the superficial.
But here's the thing: social media is just a tool. A powerful one, sure, but a tool nonetheless. And like any tool, it can be misused.
This is my story, and it's a cautionary tale, but not a dead end. Don't get sucked into the #InstagramPoetry vortex. Your art deserves more than fleeting likes and shallow comments. Find your tribe, online or off. Maybe that hidden virtual speakeasy exists, or maybe you create your own space, a blog, a reading series, a zine – anything that fosters genuine connection.
The future of poetry might be uncertain, but one thing's for sure: it deserves better. And guess what? We, the poets, the readers, the creators, we have the power to make it better. Let's ditch the empty gestures and cultivate conversations that ignite the soul. Let's build a future where poetry isn't just tolerated on social media, it's celebrated.
Are you tired of the #InstagramPoetry scene too? Share your experiences in the comments! Let's talk about what a thriving online poetry community could look like. What are your favorite platforms for connecting with other poets?
I was only thinking yesterday that I should send you s message as I ain't seen you on instafuck for a while. What you say makes sense. That's why I've never seen Instagram as more than a personal little photo album. TBH I have met some great people on their and the haiku community is pretty supportive, but I never expected too much from IG, after all let's not forget it's origin as s photo sharing platform...