
Instagram vs. Cara: Which Platform Is Better for Artists in 2025?
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As an artist, sharing your work online isn’t just about exposure—it’s about finding a supportive community, protecting your content, and connecting with collectors. While Instagram has long been the go-to platform for artists, Cara has recently emerged as a promising, artist-first alternative. So which one is right for you?
Let’s break it down.
📸 Instagram: The Old Faithful (With Some Baggage)
Pros:
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Massive audience: Over 2 billion monthly users means your art has the potential to be seen by collectors, galleries, and fans worldwide.
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Visual format: Perfect for showcasing art, process videos, and behind-the-scenes reels.
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Business tools: Integrated shops, insights, and ad options to help you grow.
Cons:
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Algorithm fatigue: Many artists feel their work is buried unless they post constantly or pay for ads.
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AI scraping concerns: Instagram has come under fire for unclear policies around how art might be used for AI training.
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Shifting toward video: It increasingly favors reels over still images, which can frustrate visual artists.
🎨 Cara: The Newcomer Built for Artists
Pros:
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Anti-AI stance: Cara openly opposes AI scraping, giving artists peace of mind that their work won’t be fed into machine-learning models.
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Chronological feed: No algorithmic manipulation—your followers actually see your posts.
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Creative focus: The platform is built by artists, for artists, emphasizing visual portfolios over influencer content.
Cons:
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Smaller audience: Still growing, so exposure is more limited (for now).
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Fewer tools: Lacks the advanced analytics or shop features of Instagram.
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Occasional bugs: As a newer platform, expect a few growing pains.
💡 So Which One Should You Use?
If you're just starting out, Instagram may still offer broader reach—but Cara is ideal for building an authentic, creative-first community without the noise.
Many artists (myself included) are now using both:
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Instagram for reach and visibility.
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Cara for connection and portfolio presentation.
It’s not about choosing one over the other—it’s about using each platform for what it does best.
🎨 My Experience as a Mixed Media Artist
As someone who works with watercolor, resin, and mixed media, I’ve noticed:
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My detailed process photos and layered textures do better on Cara, where fellow artists appreciate craft.
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On Instagram, I reach more casual viewers and home decorators—especially through reels or curated lifestyle shots.
✨ Final Thoughts
Your art deserves to be seen—and protected. Cara is an exciting space where your creativity comes first, while Instagram still plays a valuable role in reaching buyers. The best strategy? Use both intentionally, and let your art lead the way.
👉 Follow me on Instagram @maryammohi and Cara @maryammohi to see how I’m sharing different sides of my work on each!