183 - Laryssa and Liz on Instagram in 2026: What's Changed, What's Working, and Whether It's Still Worth Your Time

Welcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by Laryssa Wirstiuk and Liz Kantner, two experts passionate about helping independent jewelry artists thrive.

Welcome to episode #183! We're kicking off a three-part series on Instagram, because enough has changed in 2026 that it felt like time to take a fresh look at what's actually working. Today Laryssa and Liz start with the big picture - what's shifted on the platform, what it means for smaller accounts, and whether Instagram is still worth your time.

In today's episode, Laryssa and Liz cover:

Why a lot of people are still doing Instagram like it's 2016 - and what needs to change

What a study of over 24 million posts reveals about how the platform is performing right now

Why "views" replaced "impressions" and what that means for how you measure success

How Instagram behavior has shifted - saves and shares matter more than likes and follows

Why your posts are lasting longer than they used to (and what that means for time-sensitive content)

Why smaller accounts actually have an advantage right now

How the algorithm is changing the way content gets discovered - and what that means for jewelry brands

In the bonus segment for Insiders only, Laryssa and Liz share the one shift they think every independent designer should be making on Instagram right now.

Liz Kantner works with independent jewelry artists to help them find their unique voices and succeed in today's marketplace. With over ten years of experience in jewelry marketing and sales, Liz offers consulting services and digital strategy. She's also the founder of the Stay Gold Collective, a private group providing live training, industry insights, and personalized feedback. Learn more at https://www.lizkantner.com.