Why Engaging With Other Artists Work Matters

In today’s world, social media has given artists a massive platform to share their work. But as wonderful as that sounds, there’s a catch: our artwork is increasingly judged by numbers—likes, comments, followers. And while it’s tempting to believe that more numbers mean more success, we know in our hearts that art isn’t about numbers. It’s about emotion, connection, and expression.

The trouble is, social media’s algorithm doesn’t care about your heart. It cares about engagement—specifically, engagement that makes platforms more money. We’ve all felt it: the sting of a post that doesn’t get the likes or shares we hoped for. Maybe you’ve experienced shadow-banning or have noticed your work not even reaching your loyal followers. These situations can drain our passion, tricking us into believing that our art’s value is linked to metrics, but nothing could be further from the truth.

Here’s the thing: art moves us in ways that numbers never can. Imagine your favorite music album. The way it stirs emotions, evokes memories, or pulls you into a certain mood. When you look at a piece of art, whether it’s your own or someone else’s, shouldn’t that be the goal? To create a connection so deep that someone feels something. That’s the magic we’re after.

So, how can we, as a community of artists, help each other step away from this numbers game? By starting a conversation. Not just with our art, but with each other. Rather than scrolling past or dropping a simple like, take the time to comment on another artist’s work. Share what you love about it. How does it make you feel? What emotions does it spark? How does it inspire your own work?

When you engage meaningfully, you’re not just building someone else up—you’re building the community. You’re helping artists remember that their work has worth beyond the constraints of an algorithm. Social media might prioritize shallow engagement, but we don’t have to follow that script. Let’s create a space where the value of art is felt, seen, and heard in the comments we leave for one another.

Engage deeply, share your thoughts, and let’s remind each other why we fell in love with art in the first place.