Pet Influencer Molly's Account Shut Down

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Post on Nov 27, 2024

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Pet Influencer Molly's Account Shut Down: A Tail of Two Instagrams (and a Lesson Learned)

Okay, so you guys know how much I love Molly, my fluffy Persian cat? She's basically a celebrity in our house, and I was this close to making her a real-life Instagram influencer. I mean, the cat videos practically made themselves! She's got that whole "cute and cuddly" thing down pat. But then… bam… my carefully curated Insta empire came crashing down. Let me tell you, it was a total rollercoaster.

The Rise and Fall (and Rise?) of @MollyThePersian

I started @MollyThePersian about a year ago. It was totally organic, you know? Just cute pictures of Molly sleeping in boxes, batting at string, the whole nine yards. I didn't even try to optimize it at first; I was just sharing her adorableness. But slowly, slowly, followers started rolling in. It was amazing! I was getting comments from all over, and people were even tagging their own cats! #CatGoals, right?

I started using relevant hashtags, like #catsofinstagram #persiancats #fluffycats #cutecats. I even learned about using Instagram's analytics to see what my audience liked best – apparently, it was the videos of her chasing the laser pointer. Who knew? It was a total learning curve, and honestly, it took a while to figure out. I spent hours researching SEO for Instagram – turns out, it's a whole thing! I learned about things like using a consistent brand voice (which I eventually figured out was "enthusiastic cat mom").

My follower count kept climbing, and I even started getting brand partnerships. Small ones at first, like cat toys or food. I'm talking serious growth. Then came the day I got a DM from a huge pet brand. It seemed too good to be true!

The Sudden Shutdown: A Digital Disaster

Then, out of the blue, poof. Gone. My account, @MollyThePersian, vanished. Vanished! Instagram said I violated their community guidelines. I was devastated! I’d poured my heart and soul (and a lot of time) into building her following. All that hard work, for nothing? I felt like my world was ending. It was a truly awful experience.

Turns out, I'd used a few images without properly attributing the source (I was in a rush, okay?). I also had a few ads that apparently weren't compliant. I'd overlooked some of the fine print, and I paid the price.

Lessons Learned: Don't Be a Cat-astrophe!

This whole experience was a huge lesson in social media responsibility. I've completely revamped my approach. Here's what I learned:

• Copyright is King: Seriously, guys. Always, always, always make sure you have permission to use any image or video that's not your own. There are tons of free-to-use images out there, and sites like Unsplash are amazing resources.

• Read the Fine Print: Before posting anything related to a brand partnership, read the contract. It's dull, I know, but skipping this step could cost you your account!

• Know the Rules: Familiarize yourself with Instagram's community guidelines. It might seem boring, but it's essential to know what's acceptable and what's not. I’m now a huge advocate for careful adherence to community guidelines and rules. It sucks, but it’s a must.

• Diversify Your Platforms: I'm now working on building Molly's presence on other platforms. TikTok, Facebook... you name it! Don't put all your eggs in one basket, especially when it comes to social media. This strategy really helps limit the effects of a shutdown.

• Back Up Your Stuff: This sounds obvious, but regularly back up your photos and videos! Cloud storage is your friend.

Getting my account back was a long and painful process, but I eventually got it reinstated after appealing the decision and showing proof of ownership of any material I was accused of stealing. It was stressful! I felt totally defeated at the time. But I’m back, stronger than ever, and ready to share Molly's adorable antics with the world (while playing by the rules, of course!). If I can do it, you can do it too! Just remember to stay focused, and don't let a little setback derail your dreams! Now, if you'll excuse me, Molly needs her afternoon nap... and I need to schedule another cat-themed post!