Are you fed up with Instagram’s algorithms and TikTok’s endless videos? You’re not alone. There’s a growing movement in the photography community: people are returning to Flickr, an “old-school” photo-sharing platform, in search of a better experience.
What’s driving the exodus from Instagram (and to some extent TikTok)? In short, frustration. Instagram, once a simple photo-sharing app, has become heavily algorithm-driven and increasingly focused on video content (Reels). Many photographers feel like their work is getting lost in a sea of ads, suggested posts, and videos unrelated to photography. One Reddit user lamented battling “the algorithm” and the “overwhelming push for video content” on Instagram, saying it has “forgotten its roots” as a platform for sharing photographs
TikTok, on the other hand, is all about short-form video and has an uncertain future in the U.S. due to political and security debates. So, if you’re a photo enthusiast, neither of these platforms may feel like a comfortable home right now.
Enter Flickr – the site you might dimly recall from a decade ago as the place to upload and organize photos. Flickr never had the glitzy buzz of Instagram, but it also never abandoned the people who just want to share images and enjoy them. Over the past year, more and more users have started highlighting the virtues of Flickr. They gave several reasons why it’s refreshing:
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No algorithmic feed: On Flickr, your feed is chronological. You see photos from people you follow in the order they were posted – no mysterious algorithm deciding what you see. This means if your friend posts a photo, you won’t miss it because some AI didn’t think it was engaging enough. It restores a sense of control and trust: you know what you’re going to get when you log in.
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Focus on photography: It sounds obvious, but on Flickr it’s all about the images. There are no Stories, no Reels, no viral dance videos. Whether you’re a pro or a hobbyist, the emphasis is on sharing photographs – landscapes, portraits, macros, you name it – and getting feedback on them. The vibe is totally different. You’re not competing with meme videos or trying to appease an algorithm with the latest music trend; you’re just enjoying pictures.
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Real communities and groups: Flickr has long had themed groups (e.g. black and white photography, night shots, bird lovers, etc.) and discussion forums. Users returning to it report that the engagement feels genuine and interest-based, not just random “Nice pic, check out my page” comments. You can join groups that align with your passions and actually learn or get inspired from peers. It’s a throwback to when social media felt more like clubs of like-minded people rather than an endless noisy feed.
The reaction online to this pro-Flickr trend has been overwhelmingly positive, at least on the aforementioned Reddit discussion. Heck, even the U.S. Department of State maintains its huge photo archive on Flickr rather than Instagram, precisely because Flickr is built for preserving and organizing images long-term. t’s telling that serious institutions trust it for that purpose.
Meanwhile, Instagram has been stumbling with its core user base. Recently, Meta (Instagram’s parent company) changed users’ profiles from the familiar square grid to a weird portrait-style grid without warning, messing up many crafted portfolios.
That angered a lot of photographers and artists who use Instagram as their portfolio – imagine spending years arranging your feed to have a consistent look, only for it to be thrown off by a layout change you didn’t ask for. On top of that, there’s been growing discontent with how Facebook/Meta handles content and politics: decisions like removing third-party fact-checking and even allegations that users were automatically made to follow political leaders’ accounts caused outrage. For someone who just wants to share pretty pictures, this all feels like unwelcome noise.
So, is Flickr the perfect paradise? Not exactly – it has its own business challenges (it’s no longer owned by Yahoo; a smaller company runs it now, and it relies on pro subscriptions). The interface might feel a bit dated to new eyes, and the mobile app experience isn’t as slick as Instagram’s. But for the purpose of photography-first social media, it’s currently the best we’ve got. Flickr allows a generous number of uploads (even free accounts can showcase quite a bit), and its Pro membership unlocks unlimited storage if you really dive in. Importantly, it’s a space where you won’t be pushed to start dancing on camera or turn your photos into videos just to get noticed.
If you’re considering making the jump (or at least testing the waters), here’s some advice: don’t think of it as leaving Instagram entirely, but diversifying your online presence. You can keep an Instagram for casual sharing or connecting with friends, but use Flickr as a dedicated portfolio and community space. On Flickr, take the time to join a couple of groups related to your interests – that’s where you’ll find engagement. For instance, love film photography? There are groups for that. Into urban exploration shots? Plenty of folks there too. Leave thoughtful comments on others’ photos, and you’ll likely get the same in return.
It’s also worth cleaning up or updating your profile if you had one ages ago. Refresh your bio, maybe upload a batch of your favorite recent shots. You might be surprised at the reception. People on Flickr tend to be encouraging and interested in the craft. It’s less about the “influencer” culture and more about the images themselves.
In the end, the resurgence of Flickr is about taking back control of how and why you share your photos. It’s a reminder that you have options. You don’t have to feel at the mercy of platforms that pivot away from your passion. If Instagram’s not doing it for you anymore, you can simply… walk away, or at least step aside to a quieter corner of the internet. Flickr’s revival shows that many have done just that, finding joy in sharing photos without the clout-chasing pressure. It might not have the hype, but it has the heart – and for a lot of us, that’s what photography sharing is supposed to be about.
