HOW META BETRAYED CREATORS AND USERS PT. 1

Once upon a time I opened an instagram account with the intent of sharing my art and thoughts with like minded folks from all over the world and to discover new and exciting things miles away from me. 

Through this platform I’ve learned about different cultures and perspectives, I’ve connected with souls that feel like mine, have shared my music, art and humor with those who appreciate it, even with those who do not. I’ve been entertained for countless hours and contributed to the algorithm with unique content. 

In the last couple of years my activity has decreased not only due to my personal responsibilities but also due to the absurdly abusive and suppressive changes in their user policies and algorithm.

The user experience has been fuckin ruined by META’s corporate greed and their censorship of relevant voices and information.

I caught on to their agenda when they first demonetized reels. The monetization of reels allowed content creators a stream of revenue as constant as their activity and engagement regardless of content substance. This program helped struggling and emerging creators get through the roughest parts of the pandemic and many continued to thrive post pandemic as well. This revenue and algorithm provided exposure not just for artists but to farmers, community spaces, collectives, local markets and businesses among many other underrepresented demographics and perspectives that deserve a voice online. The overall collective experience was positive. 

My Crocspiracy is: somewhere along the way they realized the voices of the people were being uplifted and shared more than the voices of the elite. The funds raised from the “Reels” program were amplifying voices that not only contradict the official narrative but also proved it wrong with historical and current data. These voices were teaching folks how to cultivate, bake, file taxes, think from different perspectives, meet other cultures and support worthy causes all over the world. There were so many benefits that users were enjoying… for free. But as any late stage cappi corporation, it couldn’t let us have anything good for free and realized that it doesn’t make sense to fund “everyone” through their content creator programs but it was rather a privilege that one should buy into and it’s nothing more than another avenue to be exploited. 

And so they masked the demonetization of reels as a way to “empower” content creators to find independent contracts and allow users to “support” their favorite creators directly. 

Since then the platform has become no different than public television. Ads from start to finish, now even on the home feed, obnoxious celebrity content one has to take the time to block and avoid, the general vibe of IG is just… let me think of the right word… dirty. Dirty comments, dirty attitudes, dirty curated narratives, a dirty money grabbing scheme. 

Now, in the midst of the highest inflation of our generation, people who are struggling to keep food on the table are expected to “support” their favorite creators while the platform itself makes astronomical profits from forcing us to see content no one wants. Day by day making it harder for users and creators to connect. Withholding digital tools that can help creators grow while curating an algorithm that prevents others from reaching your account unless you meet the amount of followers needed, but how are followers gonna reach you if you don’t have the tools and the algorithm won’t let them see you?!! 

I sigh in confusion. 

This algo got people working overtime to be seen and it seems many users are unhappy. It’s become more of a digital phone book if anything. A “no strings attached- no direct contact needed”- little black book. 

…continued in Part 2.