How should I handle getting my Instagram account hacked when I've worked so hard to build it?

Losing a social media account you’ve built is devastating, but the key is to not let it freeze you. Start fresh on a new account and simultaneously pivot your energy to other platforms where your audience already exists. If your Instagram is gone, go all-in on Facebook or another platform where you can rebuild. Engage deeply in relevant groups, nurture those communities, and focus on providing value. The time you spend building a new following won’t be wasted—it often leads to discovering new audiences and opportunities you wouldn’t have found otherwise. Also consider diversifying across platforms from the start so you’re never completely dependent on one channel.

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Asked by an artist who lost their Instagram account · Answered by Karen Payton (sharing experience) · art-marketing-podcast · 2025-08-29