We all knew it was going to happen. Once news broke that Facebook had purchased Instagram for an insane amount of money, we knew we had been put on notice:
When would Facebook destroy Instagram?
In a couple weeks, Instagram has taken a major hit in public opinion.
- The preview option was removed from Twitter. Part of the perks of using Instagram was its’ relationship with Twitter.
- Policy changes that allow your photos to be used without notice. Basically, we could be supplying photos for the entire world. That isn’t a stretch either. Facebook has gone from “cool” to a business looking for profit
and global domination.
This is a running blog so I’m not here to talk tech and throw in industry speak. I was actually a fan of Instagram having a computer friendly site where our photos could be viewed rather than simply limiting it to the mobile app.
I wont be deleting my Instagram account, just managing it differently. I think that 99% of Instagram users have very little to be afraid of, but here is how I plan to change my Instagram habbits.
No more photos of The First Lady
This is the one that makes me sad, but I can’t have baby girl’s photo potentially show up on some ad or pamphlet that I have no idea what it’s selling. Don’t worry, I’ll still share photos on the blog. I was already hesitant of sharing her photo to begin with and language like this makes me even more concerned.
Fewer photos of me.
I use Instagram for the blog and like sharing photos of me running with friends and throughout the city. I won’t remove them all, but will be more cautious of what is uploaded. I’ll still be sharing images of me in product because I’m here to share my running experiences with you. No worries, you’ll still get to see my silly face.
This isn’t a break-up letter with Instagram. It’s more of a “I’m going to be very selective with you” letter.
If you are looking for a detailed description of the changes in Instagram’s policy, see these I formative links:
- What Instagram’s new Terms of Service Mean for you.
- Instagram says it now has the right to sell your photos.
- How to back-up your Instagram photos and delete your account.
UPDATED: There has been some development and an official response from Instagram. It was brought to my attention in the comments below. I guess we’ll see where we go from here. To me, it still sounds like the above practices would be in our best interest — and that may be for all social media.
How do you feel about the new Instagram Policy?
photo titled: Running Ultras
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I entered for a chance to be in a 2013 Fitness Catalogue for MPG. I’m on page 1 under RUNNING ULTRAS.
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I agree- I am sad too :( Facebook has been driving me nuts for months and I was afraid it would affect Instagram. I have a good relationship with several of the staffers there — I’ll mention something and see if we can get anything changed. Facebook is good at making us mad and then trying to fix the relationship. We’ll see.
Ditto. I will still use Instagram but now much more specifically and for the “business” of my blog. Not my insanely awesome adventures that I’m sure everyone is dying to know about. Haha. They’ll just have to go to my blog to see that. ;-)
I am with you – I’m not going to break up with Instagram, but going to be a LOT more careful what I put up – especially when it comes to my niece and nephew and any kids for that matter!
me no likey…but like you I’ll just be more selective
So agreed. No pics of the kids for sure. I hope something new comes along that is like the old instagram.
I initially was going to delete my Instagram account, but instead will just not post any pictures of my son. Too bad, because he is a cute little stinker!
I am SO annoyed with IG. I will most likely be limiting the photos of Em. Chances are my terrible photos would never be used anyway but better safe than sorry!
Question: is this also happening on FB? I have never paid attention to any policy changes with social media before this occurred. Should I be concerned with photo uploads on FB?
I agree 100% with you!
I think I’m going to end up doing what you’re doing – regarding the ‘gram. I love it, but I am going to be more cautious.
Seems like the safest step most of us can take that still want to use IG.
I love IG and have been on it for years. It’s sad that it’s come to this. I am not going to delete my account but I will definitely be more selective about what I post as well.
I’m taking all my photos off my phone and deleting my account. That sends more of a message rather than being selective with how we use it.
True. I’m sure many accounts are being deleted. I still want to use their service tho. I find value in it and don’t really mind if photos (that don’t include my face) are used. I take some pretty good pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge, have fun with it.
I used my Instagram account for my name and blog too. But mysteriously people started to unfollow me. I asked them about it and they had no idea what happened so I just decided to delete my account. i have a lot of photos of my face on there as well, and since my family has left the scene, I should too.
Good idea to watermark your photos and stop posting photos of The First Lady; that was a very smart move indeed.
Great blog! Glad you had a super weekend. I read that post too :)
Saddened. I won’t be posting pics of my kids anymore and will likely keep it to business/blog related stuff, product. I wish it could be different but as it is now, that’s how I feel most comfortable.
Well, I think the whole thing stinks, but I’m not terribly surprised. Up until a week again I was using an Instagram plugin on my blog to let my readers see what I was up to. It stopped working and crashed my site, so I quickly deleted it.
Clearly a portent of things to come…
I’m gonna play along and use them right back; product placement baby (but no more photos of my kids…)
That’s right! Every photo will now include me holding something with a giant logo across it!
Thanks for breaking it down into techy loser terms for me–I wasn’t clear on what the deal was. Now that I am–ugh! Disappointing what they have done.
Ha! It probably comes across that way because I can’t right in techy-terms. I’m a designer and make fancy looking photos. I should have drawn something.
I’m annoyed by it. using it was an easier way to share photos with my friends and readers. Blogging takes up enough time as it is and I don’t have time to deal with this. how will this affect brand for promotion there?
I think brands may be safe. I don’t envision one brand using another photo with a competing brand. Actually, having a huge logo somewhere on the photo (or multiple) might persuade a company NOT to use it. Time to take photos wearing Nike gear, drinking a pepsi in front of a McDonalds.
Its a shame. But I agree no pics of the kids and more selective about what I post.
Yep. Parents seem to be pretty consistent on that thought.
spot on! I 100% am with you on this!
Same here. I’ll also be removing the majority of my photos, especially the ones of my kids.
I guess we’ll just have to adjust moving forward. I definitely still want to use the app/service.
I still haven’t decided what to do. I to may limit what I take photos of. A friend of mine also suggested watermarking.
True. But that takes the spontaneous factor from instantly sharing. I normally tag most of mine with my URL.
I’m so bummed!!! I love IG and think that it’s my favorite social media platform. But I completely agree with you – I won’t be breaking up but definitely using it differently. Definitely no kiddo pictures which is sad.
Yep. That seems like the one that most parents are afraid of. We want to share the joy that they bring us, but don’t want their images used for reasons we didn’t foresee.
Still on the fence about what to do, agree with the comments above, the writing was on the wall as soon as Facebook take over. Unfortunately it just might ruin something that people have a lot of fun with.
True. I know we take some risk in putting out images on the web. I guess it was a matter of time.
How do I feel? it sucks. Still hoping they change their mind. Not sure what i will do come January.
Most of us don’t have high res photos on IG, so we may be safe. Disney could take a look at yours. YOU COULD BE MICKY FAMOUS!
I broke up with IG this morning. Didn’t hurt me a bit. :)
GREAT post and a great approach too! I feel like I’m not taking this IG policy revision seriously enough. I guess I’m a bit naive and it doesn’t occur to me that someone would even want to take the photos I post and use them to his or her own gain. However I’m sure it’s really plausible so it’s smart of you to take the precautions that you are. The Twitter thing does frustrate me – seriously I don’t think anyone gets a Twitter and deletes their FB due to that, so why does there have to be so much hatin?
I don’t really care if they want to use any landscape or food photos, just leave my face and baby girl’s out of it. I would actually be honored if they used a trail photo or pic of SF in an ad. I’d be like “I took that photo!”
Great recap! Thanks for sharing your ideas on how to move forward with photos! :)
So upset! I love Instagram! I am super glad you will still be posting pics of the First Lady here on the blog. I can’t live without seeing her sweet little face!
Ya, that is what makes me sad. I know people always ask me to share more and I was already hesitant to share before…
I like what this lawyer has to say here:
http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/18/3780158/instagrams-new-terms-of-service-what-they-really-mean
(I know your not supposed to leave links as comments, fail me.)
That’s a really good link… seems like IG followed FB steps and dropped “modified” rules without any clear explanation.
I’m a little discouraged by it. Not quite sure what I do and don’t want to share. I’m mostly afraid of my name/photos being associated with products I would never endorse. But I love instagram so I don’t want to delete my account. :/
I’m in the same boat. I honestly don’t think most of us have much to worry about. But professional photographers that share their work on IG might be highly concerned.
Blog Update regarding Instagram’s terms. Provides some clarification :) http://blog.instagram.com/
That’s not a bad plan. I wasn’t ready for a breakup myself, but I’m not too happy about Facebook’s overhaul.