In the past few months, there has been talk of whether Instagram is dead or dying. According to the latest data, the platform has 1.44 billion users, which amounts to 31.2% of internet users. But despite this, it is only fourth among the most popular social media—Facebook still leads, followed by YouTube and WhatsApp. Instagram head Adam Mosseri says there are three billion monthly active users, but that's just one aspect of the picture.
Currently, Instagram clearly favors reels over photos. Many people use the platform to post videos because reels get more views than photo posts. While many are following this trend, many users miss the old Instagram as a place for simple photo sharing.
One of the biggest problems today is the increase in AI content or so-called AI slop. According to Mosseri, there are a lot of AI-generated posts on the platform, and it continues to increase. While there is some good AI content, it is undeniable that this trend is becoming a challenge for Instagram's authenticity.
As a solution, Mosseri suggested that users' content should be raw and unfiltered. Many celebrities and influencers post blurry or grainy photos from vintage or trendy cameras. However, in the era of advanced AI like Google Nano Banana, it's also easy to create AI content that looks raw, so this idea is not enough to truly solve the AI problem.
For real change, there are several steps that can be taken: first, metadata on photos and videos to prove authenticity; second, digital credentials on cameras using C2PA; and third, full algorithm revamp to prioritize authentic content. Ultimately, while Instagram will be in trouble in 2026, it still has a chance to redeem if the right steps are taken to maintain the uniqueness and authenticity of the platform.
