20 best social media for artists to post on in 2024 by category

You’re an artist. You create artworks, and you want to share them with the world. You open up your browser… and what? Where exactly should you post? 

The choice is not easy. I myself managed to list 20 social media platforms, and I’m sure I overlooked a lot! So, how do you know which one’s best for you? What social platform is best for establishing your art business, and where should you go if you don’t really care about art marketing because you just want yo get our art out there?

Here is my list of the 20 social media platforms where artists can share their works in 2024, categorized by their strengths and target audience. 

Text-based platforms for artists

Twitter-like platforms

1. X (Twitter)

• Microblogging app for sharing short messages and images.
• Getting popular on Twitter can be tough because there are so many users and competition.
• It’s great for reaching lots of people, promoting artwork, and chatting with fellow artists.
• While you might not make money directly from Twitter, it can help you get opportunities like commissions or collaborations, which can boost your career.

2. Threads

• Microblogging app for sharing short messages and images (it’s just X, really).
• Linked to Instagram and requires an Instagram account. (Funny thing: once you create a Threads account, you can’t delete it without deleting your Instagram account 🙃).
• Posts can be up to 500 characters long and include links, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes in length.
• Ideal for sharing your artworks, sneak peeks of new work, creative process updates, etc.
• I’ve come across a few posts of artists saying Threads’ algorithms promote their works more than Instagram does. While I can’t confirm it (I haven’t noticed any of this with my Threads profile, I think it’s worth catching up with the platform while it’s not oversaturated). 
• My Threads profile >>

3. Mastodon

• Decentralized microblogging platform for connecting with a diverse range of artists.
• Users connect to different instances of the platform, called pods. Each pod has its own community rules and moderation policies.
• Open-source and emphasizes user privacy.
• Ideal for joining smaller art-related communities and having some real discussions. 
• Click this link, then “Art”, to see some art-related Mastodon servers.
• Read this Reddit thread where artists share their thoughts on using Mastodon.

4. BlueSky

• Bluesky is a decentralized social media platform conceived by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. It looks like Twitter in its user interface.
• Aims to create a platform that is more transparent, decentralized, and user-controlled than current social media platforms.
• Still in development, but has the potential to revolutionize the way artists connect and share their work. It’s a closed platform now, you need an invitation code to enter it.
• Ideal for those who want to be a part of a new wave of social media.

Forum-like platforms for artists 

5. Reddit

• Social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion website for finding art inspiration and engaging with an active community of artists.
• Users submit content to subreddits, which are dedicated to specific topics, including art, design, photography, and more. Here’s a full list of art-related Reddit communities and topics.
• Ideal for discovering new art, sharing opinions, getting feedback on your art, and joining discussions on a variety of art-related topics.
• Can be used to connect with other artists in your niche, learn from more experienced artists, and discover learning resources, such as this great self-taught artist free curriculum. 

6. Discord

• VoIP, instant messaging, and digital distribution platform for connecting with fellow artists and building a supportive online community.
• Primarily used for gaming communities and online chat groups, but also has a thriving art community.
• Features text, voice, and video chat, as well as screen sharing and file sharing, making it ideal for collaborating on projects and sharing ideas.
• Ideal for communicating with friends, groups, and communities of artists online.
• Can be used to find art-related projects, connect with potential collaborators, and get feedback on your work.
• Here’s a list of Discord art servers.

Video-based platforms

@mleczny_mlecz #ilustracje #digitalpainting #lofiillustration #lofiart #rysuje #krakow #rysujesz #procreatetimelapse #mgmt #mothernature ♬ Mother Nature – MGMT

7. YouTube

• Video-sharing platform for sharing art tutorials, process videos, and showcasing your artwork to a global audience.
• Ideal for sharing your art process, teaching others about art, showcasing your work to a wide audience, or doing basically anything. 
• I think the biggest part of art YouTube revolves around creating education content. Timelapses, draw-with-me’s, or any other forms of video content are way less popular (at least in terms of long content, not shorts).
• When it comes to making money as an artist, it’s still considered one of the most “stable” platforms. How do I know it? From this post about 6 social media trends for artists in 2024.

8. TikTok

• Short-form video sharing app for showcasing your quirky, creative, and entertaining art creations.
• Users can create and share videos up to 180 seconds long for videos uploaded, and 60s for videos created with TikTok.
• Uses AI-powered recommendation algorithms to surface videos to users.
• Ideal for sharing quick, entertaining, and creative art videos with a wide audience.
• Can be used to promote your brand, connect with potential collectors, and generate buzz around your art. Better than Instagram to reach a wider audience – the videos I share on TikTok usually get way more views than the same ones uploaded to Instagram.
• Here you can browse the “Art” category for TikTok.
• My TikTok profile >>

9. Twitch

• Live streaming video platform for sharing your art creation process with an engaged audience.
• Users can stream themselves playing games, interacting with viewers, and discussing gaming news and strategies.
• Many popular streamers use Twitch to earn money from subscriptions, donations, and sponsorships.
• Ideal for interacting with art enthusiasts in real time, building a community around your art, and monetizing your art through subscriptions or ad revenue.
• “Art” category on Twitch.

Image-centered platforms for artists

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by lofi nostalgia digital painter (@mleczny_mlecz)

10. Lemon8

• Vibrant and aesthetically pleasing platform that combines elements of Pinterest and Instagram.
• Single posts resemble Instagram-style feeds with a focus on high-quality images and videos.
• Experienced a surge in popularity in the first half of 2023, particularly among TikTok users.
• Ideal for showcasing artwork, fashion trends, and lifestyle inspirations.
• For now only available in Asia, UK, and US.

11. Behance

• Professional platform for showcasing design portfolios, primarily catering to graphic designers, illustrators, and UI/UX designers.
• Emphasis on high-resolution images and detailed project descriptions.
• Widely used by creative agencies and potential employers to discover new talent.
• Ideal for establishing credibility and showcasing professional-grade work.

12. Dribble

• Pioneering platform for sharing design concepts and inspiration.
• Known for its minimalist aesthetic and focus on quick-swipe visuals.
• Popular among web designers, product designers, and UI/UX enthusiasts.
• Ideal for sharing sketches, prototypes, and design ideas with a design-oriented audience.

13. Deviantart

• Vast and diverse community of artists, ranging from visual artists and photographers to digital artists and musicians.
• Wide range of art styles and genres from traditional to contemporary.
• Active forum and discussion boards for sharing ideas and connecting with other artists.
• Ideal for showcasing a wide range of artwork and connecting with a diverse audience.

14. Artstation

• Online portfolio platform for professional artists, particularly in the fields of concept art, illustration, and animation.
• Emphasis on professional-quality artwork, detailed project information, and work-in-progress updates.
• Used by studios, publishers, and potential clients to find new talent.
• Ideal for promoting professional artwork and attracting industry opportunities.

15. Pinterest

• Visual discovery platform where users can collect and share images, videos, and creative ideas.
• Organized into boards based on interests and topics.
• Popular for curating inspirational content, fashion trends, and DIY projects.
• Ideal for gathering image references and inspiration for your artworks (or aesthetic desk setups – like I did on my Pinterest).

16. Instagram

• Social media platform focused on sharing photos and videos. I won’t add anything else, since we all know Instagram very well.
• Probably the first go-to platform for artists.
• It was a great place to share your artworks… around 8 years ago (?). Now it’s gotten much harder to get any reach organically. Read more about it in my article, 6 social media trends for artists in 2024.
• My Instagram profile >>

17. tumblr

• Microblogging platform known for its unique aesthetic and emphasis on self-expression. 
• Used to be super-popular in the early 2010s, fueled by fashion bloggers, Lana Del Rey, Arctic Monkeys, flowers, Effy from “Skins”, and the sad girl aesthetic.
• Varied content formats, including text posts, images, videos, and GIFs.
• Ideal for connecting with a niche audience interested in offbeat content. 

18. Pixiv

• Largest online community for Japanese art, including manga, anime, and visual arts.
• Ideal for showcasing manga, anime illustrations, and creative artwork inspired by Japanese aesthetics.

Platforms to get donations

19. Patreon

• Crowdfunding platform where artists can create exclusive content for their supporters in exchange for recurring donations.
• Ideal for artists to monetize their work and build a loyal fanbase.

20. Ko-fi

• Micropayments platform where artists can receive small donations from their supporters.
• Ideal for artists to receive support from their fans without the commitment of a monthly subscription.

20 best social media platforms for artists in 2024

That’s it! I hope you found this post useful and you’ve discovered some new social media platforms. 

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