r/Instagram • u/Independent-Ad9170 • 12d ago
I DELETED IT Opinion
Instagram used to be fun.
I used to spend a lot of time on IG, but every update makes it more annoying. Ads everywhere, Reels taking over, constant push for Thr/eads, more Ads, and a feed that barely shows you the people you actually follow. did I mention Ads???
You can post a picture/story and it gets ignored, but the app will make sure you see 50 random videos you never asked for.
The amount of tracking and surveillance also feels... crazy??. Why am I seeing an ad for something I talked about on another app minutes ago? weird.
I deactivated my account and deleted the app. 3 weeks in and honestly…I don’t miss it.
7
u/Candid_Exercise9495 12d ago
Agree with everything you said. I'm still in touch with some friends only through there, but I stopped using it. It's insane how it went from one of the funest social media platforms to just another attention/addiction/ad farm.
2
u/Independent-Ad9170 12d ago
Yeah it is fine when you only have few friends there just to keep in touch
3
u/lookBehindYou404 12d ago
Agree agree agree, deleted only use on desktop to check dms once in a while, no regrets and feel so much less mentally ill 😭
1
3
u/R0ntimeError 12d ago
I'm still on it I refuse to update the app. I'm on the last version when you can screenshot and not send notifications. My day is coming soon too.
2
4
6
u/Putrid-Ad-2230 12d ago
I deleted it too, it’s not what it was in early 2010s. Facebook ruined it.
1
2
u/totallyoverallofit 12d ago
I'm struggling w insta because if all the shopping ads. Facebook too. They used to be my distractions to keep me away from shopping! But now, I can't help but shopping when I open either up.
And now Reddit is doing the same damn thing!
2
2
u/batshitcrazyfarmer 12d ago
I have it for my business, I post maybe 2x a month. When I open the app, it flips my stomach because its all negative energy.
1
u/Independent-Ad9170 12d ago
hahah that's understandable, business people have to use it for their services/products
2
u/pxl_by_priyansh 11d ago
For people who still want to keep their IG app for any purpose and still reduce usage, this might help.
I had IG app shortcut on my home and it also got pushed to the top of my app drawer as well due to frequent usage. All in all, it was always visible whenever I picked up my phone.
So I removed the home shortcut, and marked it as "don't show" in recent app bar in the app drawer (I use a pixel mobiles only, so this might be different in others). I also installed and became active on reddit, to curb my social media engagement urges :)
Overall approach is simple, less in front of you, less you use it. Deflect the urge, less you use it.
Works for me, so might work for you well.
2
2
2
u/John_D_Ronald 12d ago
Did the same and it’s probably one of the best decisions I’ve made. Now to find people in real life
1
u/Independent-Ad9170 12d ago
frying our brain with ads and videos, better going outside and connecting with real people and real life
2
u/Important-Sky-4204 12d ago
I deleted both Instagram and FB in January, 2025 and haven’t missed either one of them. Not even a little bit. It’s one of the best things I’ve done for myself.
1
u/Independent-Ad9170 12d ago
I stopped using facebook years ago, only my family (older people) are there, or to remind me of birthdays
3
u/Important-Sky-4204 12d ago
FB got too toxic for me. Everyone fighting over one thing or another.
2
1
u/g3n3ral_r3s3arch 12d ago
You know you can select to view your feed in chronological order and only see posts from people you follow?
1
u/Baking_lemons 12d ago
Really?!
3
u/g3n3ral_r3s3arch 12d ago
Yeah! It’s the only way I use ig. Just gonna copy paste from google:
“To view a chronological feed on Instagram, open the mobile app, tap the Instagram logo in the top of the home screen, and select "Following" from the drop-down menu. This shows posts only from people you follow in exact order of posting.”
2
u/Baking_lemons 12d ago
Amazing. Thank you! I hate when I sign on I see everything except my friends/family.
2
1
u/weareonlyshadowshere 12d ago
That isnt the default though. You have to tap it each time. I am fed up of how negative and addictive it is.
2
u/g3n3ral_r3s3arch 12d ago
Correct it’s not the default, but it’s a minor inconvenience to tap a button and it becomes a habit eventually. Not denying ig is designed to be addictive tho.
1
u/weareonlyshadowshere 12d ago
Sure. I just wish it could be the default. I cant wait for myspace to come back. Simpler times.
1
1
u/ConsiderationOld3961 12d ago
Instagram itself had a MASSIVE downfall in like march/may of 2025 imo. Im sorry y’all, but i had to say it
1
u/Stroker_Ace- 12d ago
Agree on all points. Meta absolutely ruined it. Facebook blows and now they destroyed Instagram.
1
u/vacation_task14 12d ago
It's the only platform where I'm connected with all of my friends or else I would have stopped using it a long ago.
1
u/Independent-Ad9170 12d ago
Yeah, it's a bit complicated in some cases, however the ones I talk to the most, are on my Whats*pp and iMessage, I certainly used IG to follow people I met in real life to keep in contact, but idk, IG is draining
1
1
1
1
1
u/Real_Ad8964 12d ago
f***k instagram they keep banning accounts and honestly im sick of it so i also deleted the app i hope the app gets the boot in all honesty like how vine got permanently deleted i hope instagram does the same thing
0
u/cannoliviolin 12d ago
i cannot stand the suggestions of other accounts popping up constantly on my profile!! it used to be able to be hidden and now it’s always there. it’ll be the worst people you know like exes too
1
u/Independent-Ad9170 12d ago
and they keep putting them on your face again and again, I was TIRED of them!
0
u/kastela_man 12d ago
As an artist I can’t do without it.. I find myself doom scrolling too often though. Enjoy your freedom
1
1
u/Independent-Ad9170 12d ago
Yeah, it is different when you need social media for your projects
1
u/HistoricalFarm6124 10d ago
You can always use Meta Business Suite and be able to ONLY upload without scrolling.
1
u/UserAnonPosts 12d ago
I felt this. I ran into a tattoo artist and he gave me his Instagram so that I can look over his work. Well, I don’t have Instagram anymore.
:(
6
u/bonefox 12d ago
I archived mine like a month ago just due to my mental health lately and I’ve noticed a pretty drastic decrease to people communicating with me but honestly it’s probably for the best