The social media landscape of 2025 looks nothing like it did just a few years ago. What was once a relatively straightforward ecosystem dominated by Instagram and Twitter (now renamed X) has fractured into a complex network of platforms, each with its own unique features, audiences and potential pitfalls.
At the same time, the way 'traditional' platforms actually work has changed beyond all recognition. For instance, as Sean McCormack bemoaned this July, in his article Social media is ruining photography, algorithmic changes mean that even people who choose to follow you on Instagram may no longer automatically see your content, especially if you're not willing to shift from images to shortform video.
