I’ve Found the 9 Best Social Media Platforms for Artists in 2024

Instagram, with its highly visual grid layout, is an ideal platform for creatives who want to share their works and build up a following online. Artists can customize their profile and turn it into their own portfolio – with a suitable bio, icon, and social links as the finishing touch!

In recent years, the platform has moved beyond static photos and welcomed Instagram reels into its ranks, letting users create and circulate short-form video content. I suggest making the most out of this tool if you’re an artist, since you can give users a closer look into your creative process, be it through behind-the-scenes content from the studio or time lapses that show you creating your latest masterpiece.

If you want to grow your audience, you can boost some of your posts by paying to advertise on Instagram. This feature has no flat fees and runs on a bidding system, so the success of your ads will depend on how much money you’re willing to put into it.

Best Instagram Features For Artists

• Hashtags – Tag posts with relevant hashtags to tap into niche communities and trends. You’ll need to do this in the early days of your account to give your posts some initial exposure.
• Discovery feed – A valuable source of inspiration, the feed shows you posts from other creators who are related to your interests. I recommend engaging with interesting accounts you’ve found on there, since they may return the favor.
• Collaborative posts – If you’ve collaborated with another artist on a project, you can tag them in an Instagram post or reel. This ensures that the followers of all the collaborators involved will be able to see the post for maximum exposure.
• Instagram insights – Make sure you’re using a business account when you sign up. That way, you’ll be able to see how well your posts are performing through key metrics such as likes, saves, comments, and your engagement rate.

An Instagram Artist to Follow

Artist: KAWS

Followers: 4.4m

American artist KAWS has an eye-catching Instagram page that demonstrates his distinctive style. He often shares his most recent works, be it toy sculptures on display in contemporary art galleries or huge public installations, and these posts have a cohesive look thanks to the colors and reoccurring motifs featured.

Instagram is one of the most visual platforms, so you’ll want your own feed to look just as put-together. Plan your posts in advance to make sure that your photos will look good together on the grid.

Ever dreamed of creating the next viral video? That’s a sign you should spread your artistic skills on TikTok. The platform – which is a hotspot for addictive video content – offers a dynamic and interactive space for artists to gain recognition online.

TikTok is known for its trending challenges and popular sounds, which you’ll want to join in on to increase your visibility online. By honing in on the latest TikTok crazes, you can tap into wider audiences and continue to grow your following. Additionally, the platform’s algorithm favors content that gains quick interaction, so timely engagement with these trends can be a game-changer for your account.

Best TikTok Features for Artists

• TikTok Shop – TikTok has morphed into an online shopping destination, with TikTok Shop offering users goods from various accounts. If you turn your art into merch, like small keychains or prints, then it’s worth trying to set up and sell on TikTok Shop to reach new audiences.
• Video duets – Want to engage with another artist you’re inspired by? That’s where TikTok video duets come in handy. To make one, simply find a video that you want to duet with, tap the “Share” button, and select “Duet.” 
• Slideshows – Instead of creating videos, you can also create image slideshows. When creating a video, simply select a series of photos, turn them into a slideshow with a fitting TikTok sound, and showcase it to your audience. You could display photos of your most recent works, or snaps from your latest artistic showcase.
• TikTok LIVE  – Creators can also livestream on the platform. As you livestream, watchers can engage with you through comments, so be sure to address them when you can.

A TikTok Artist to Follow

Artist: Pidgin Doll

Followers: 1.9 mil

Joshua David McKenney creates hyper-stylized dolls with extravagant hair, makeup, and outfits. TikTok, with its youthful audiences, is an ideal fit for his fashion-forward art. He makes the most out of TikTok’s short-form video format by creating time lapse videos of his drawings, unveiling the latest doll he’s made, and sharing fun tutorials that audiences can join in with.

Pinterest’s image-centric layout is ideal for sharing your artwork online. You can create different boards to showcase your new works, create mood boards for upcoming projects, or record any inspiration you’ve found online. These boards can be shared publicly or kept private, meaning there’s flexibility in how you want to display your art.

But Pinterest isn’t just about showcasing nice imagery – there’s an analytical side to it as well. From your profile (you’ll need to have a business account for this), you can access metrics to see how users are engaging with your work, and make tweaks to your profile based on what this data has revealed. In essence, Pinterest serves as both a promotional and inspirational platform for artists, making it a useful tool in your social media arsenal.

Top Pinterest Features For Artists

• Group boards – You can create collaborative boards with other artists, which lets you all add pins to a unified board.
• Save button – Pinterest has its own browser extension allowing you to pin images that you’ve found on the web. If you see a photo or illustration that sparks interest, you can quickly add it to one of your boards and refer back to it later.
• Explore page – Helping you find more content related to your interests, you can click on the “Explore” tab to see what’s trending. For instance, if you’re into fashion design, the Explore page may show you curated boards filled with fashion trends for the current season.
• Sell on Pinterest – If you have a business account, you can sell your artwork on Pinterest by adding clickable product links to your posts.

A Pinterest Artist to Follow

Artist: Andie Avery Photography

Followers: 16k

Users often log onto Pinterest to visualize and plan for future events. This makes Andie’s picturesque wedding photos well-suited for the platform, since users will be pinning her dreamy and aspirational photos to their wedding-themed boards. Her Pinterest profile also has a consistent look, with her photos containing jaw-dropping backgrounds and mesmerizing natural lighting, making her photographic services all the more enticing.

X (previously Twitter) is a platform on which trending topics are in constant circulation. To build a following on X, you’ll want to stay on top of what’s currently popular and, in the art world, that translates to the latest industry trends, hot topics of debate, and professionals that are currently making waves in your community.

Alongside being an apt platform for lively discussions, you can use X to showcase your art and connect with like-minded individuals. Remember to use hashtags to categorize your work and reach a wider audience. You’ll also want to create memorable posts that inspire others to retweet or repost your content, amplifying your profile’s presence across the platform.

Best X Features For Artists

• “For You” and “Trending” tabs – These tabs enable you to see what topics are gaining traction. This includes hashtags related to your industry and interests, as well as hashtags based on your current location. If you see a topic that’s relevant to your industry, you could create a related post to join in with the discussion and increase your account’s engagement. 
• Communities – X also has a tab for communities, which are groups you can join that are related to your particular niche or interests. No matter your industry, be it photography or music, you’re likely to find a group that’s relevant to you.
• Spaces – To engage with further discussions among the community, you could also use the Spaces feature if you’re feeling brave. This allows you to join in with live audio conversations on hot topics. Once you’ve found a discussion you’re interested in, you can join the room to listen to what’s being said, or turn your mic on to get involved. I also recommend running your own space once you’ve gotten used to the platform, since it’ll help you establish authority in your artistic medium.

An X Artist to Follow

Artist: Lindsay Adler

Followers: 60k

Lindsay Adler has an impressive track record as a fashion and beauty photographer, having contributed to publications like Harper’s Bazaar and Elle Magazine. She gets the most out of her X account by using it to keep followers updated on her latest creative pursuits, whether that’s recent publication features or webinars she’s running to share her knowledge with budding photographers. Overall, Lindsay’s X profile helps her maintain her status as a top photographer, allowing her to share her experience and expertise with followers.

YouTube can be a goldmine for artists looking to share their craft, but it takes hard work to make it pay off. Everyone and their dog is on YouTube, so competition will likely be steep, no matter your artistic profession.

There’s certainly scope to thrive here, with 122 million people using the platform each day to watch videos. From art tutorials to professional acting reels, YouTube allows you to showcase just about anything you want. However, to make sure that you stand out from the crowd, ensure that you’ve found your online niche first, which will become the main focus of your channel.

When you begin your channel, you need to think about two factors: quality and consistency. Invest in good lighting and a decent camera, and make sure that you create a posting schedule you can stick to. Also, remember to engage with your audience by responding to comments and asking for feedback, since you’ll want to begin with a small but engaged audience that grows organically.

Best YouTube Features For Artists

• YouTube Shorts – Similarly to TikTok and Instagram, YouTube has its own short-form video feature. From the “Shorts” tab, you can look through video content from other YouTubers, or get creative and start making your own clips to engage new audiences with.
• Community posts – To keep your followers updated with new developments, you can create community posts to share with your followers. There are a few fun features you can add to them too, which include polls, quizzes, and photos.
• Playlists – YouTube allows you to create public, private, and shared playlists. You could save art tutorials to come back to later, or create a playlist especially for your followers that fills them in with your artistic inspirations.

A YouTube Artist to Follow

Artist: doddleoddle

Followers: 2.2 mil

Doddleoddle is one of the original YouTube musicians to make it big on the platform. The singer-songwriter joined YouTube in 2011, posting regular song covers to her profile. Today, she’s amassed over two million followers and maintains her relationship with her viewers by posting her original songs, collaborations, and teasers for new releases.

What’s great about her profile is her continued engagement with her users, which is present in her second channel, doddlevloggle, where she posts more candid, vlog-style videos to connect with her fans.

Now I’ve covered some of the bigger social media names, it’s time to dig into some lesser-known platforms. Being a smaller channel isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though, as audiences on these channels tend to be more specific and engaged. For instance, my next example, Behance, stands out as a social media specifically designed for creative professionals, with its polished space for portfolio creation and project sharing.

The platform brings thousands of creatives together in one lively space, so this is why it’s important that your profile makes a positive first impression. Keeping your page fresh and professional will help. You can upload high-resolution images, top-notch text, and engaging videos to make sure that your content shines in its best light. As you grow your portfolio, there’s even a chance it’ll be discovered organically, which will increase your engagement.

Top Behance Features For Artists

• Curated galleries – You can put together curated galleries to share collections of your work. This enables other users to scroll through your projects and potentially click on the “Appreciate” button if they like what they see.
• Creative jobs – Looking for your next career opportunity? Behance is home to various creative job listings spanning architecture, fashion design, photography, and user experience. 
• Behance Pro – To really make your profile stand out, you have the option of subscribing to Behance Pro, which starts from $9.99 per month (billed annually) and comes with professional features, including the ability to offer freelance services, send client proposals, and track your profile with advanced analytics.
• Browse assets – If you’re working on a new web project and need some digital assets, you can buy them directly from Behance. 

A Behance Artist to Follow

Artist: Chris Labrooy

Followers: 47k

Chris Labrooy is a 3D graphic designer creating art that looks at reality through a playful and fantastical lens. On his Behance profile, he displays his best pieces and is transparent about the online tools he uses, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects. Additionally, you’ll find links to his other social media platforms, so users can go and follow him on those channels as well.

Are you first and foremost a designer? You might want to give Dribble a go. This platform can help you establish a professional portfolio online and get you connected with potential clients and collaborators. Most notably, it has a unique “Shots” feature that you can use to upload mini previews of your work. They act as conversation starters, opening the door to feedback and even partnerships with other creatives.

When using Dribble, your game plan should revolve around uploading your best work and letting it shine, as well as regularly engaging with the community. That means commenting on other shots, joining design challenges, and generally getting your creative juices flowing. Doing so will sharpen your skills and allow you to grow your network as quickly as possible.

Best Dribble Features For Artists

• Dribble Pro – Similarly to Behance, Dribble has a premium version. From $8 per month (billed annually), the Pro plan will boost your visibility in Dribble’s feeds, enable ad free browsing, increase your profile options, and reduce transaction fees to 0% when selling your art.
• Jobs board – You can find jobs to apply for across different artistic specialties, be it web design or animation. This encompasses full-time and freelance or contractor jobs, depending on what you’re looking for.
• “Inspiration” tab – Need to get your creative juices flowing? Browse Dribble’s “Inspiration” tab to view works from some of the web’s best designers. Eventually, you’ll want your own works to appear in this feed, so make sure that you’ve uploaded your strongest projects to your profile.

A Dribble Artist to Follow

Artist: Eddie Lobanovskiy

Followers: 242k

Crafting dazzling graphic designs and illustrations for small businesses, Eddie Lobanovskiy’s page reflects his nine years of experience. When browsing through his profile, you’ll find his most recent projects, tags like “typography” and “UX” that showcase his skills, multiple social media links, and a “Get in touch” button through which you can contact him directly.

DeviantArt is the cornerstone of the art community, and blends its showcasing platform with social networking tools. Its various features – like galleries and critiques – provide a blank canvas for artists to display their work, receive constructive feedback, and engage with like-minded individuals online.

On your profile, you can organize your gallery how you see fit. Just make sure you update it regularly, since it’ll help you build your presence online and ensure you’re showcasing fresh works that represent your current artistic style and interests. Other users can comment on your work too, so don’t forget to respond to them and start fostering your own community. This multi-faceted approach will help you gain both visibility and credibility.

Top DeviantArt Features For Artists

• Shop – DeviantArt makes it easy to sell your art online with its “Shop” tag. On top of selling physical or digital media, you can also sell subscriptions that give your followers exclusive content in exchange for a monthly fee.  
• Groups – Joining groups on DeviantArt is a brilliant way to mingle with other artists while giving and receiving critiques.
• DreamUp – If you’re interested in AI as an art tool, you can experiment with DeviantArt’s own generative AI feature, DreamUp. Simply fill in a prompt and choose an art style. The tool will generate an image for you.

A DeviantArt Artist to Follow

Artist: Tolkyes

Followers: 5.2k

Tolkyes’s surrealist, sci-fi inspired paintings are packed with detail, so it’s fitting that he’s customized his profile to reflect the contents of these other-worldly works. His profile tells you all about his artistic influences, shows you works he’s favorited from other artists, and links you to specific pieces that you can buy from his shop. He also replies to comments, which shows that he’s keen to build a deeper relationship with his followers.

Designed for specialists in 2D and 3D artwork, ArtStation enables you create a portfolio in a sleek, professional layout. It also acts as a marketplace where you can sell art online and reply to job listings for those all-important projects. In fact, it’s a place where many people in the film, games, and entertainment industries go to find new talent.

Ultimately, ArtStation is one of the primary places to get noticed, and it often doesn’t matter how many followers you have. Companies want to see skill above all else.

Best ArtStation Features For Artists

• ArtStation Pro & Studio – ArtStation’s two premium accounts, which cost $9.95 per month and $29.99 per month (billed annually) respectively, give you better control over how you present your portfolio online. If you want to look as professional as you possibly can on this platform, I suggest researching these options and seeing whether the features they come with are worth your money. 
• Blogs – A unique feature of ArtStation is the ability to create and share blog posts. Only available on a premium account, you can release detailed posts on your current projects and spill top tips with the community.
• Learning – On top of blog posts, you can also access in-depth lessons from other creators. This is a fantastic way to keep honing your craft.

An ArtStation Artist to Follow

Artist: Sylvia Puff

Followers: 9.9k

This 3D animator specializes in all things cute, producing adorable characters with the liveliest personalities. Her profile showcases some of her cutest designs, which includes a combination of animation and still 3D models. Some of her works come with a subtle watermark too, which is a fantastic way to share your art online while preventing others from stealing your original designs.

That wraps up our list of the nine best social media platforms for artists. You’ve had a taste of what they each offer, but which ones are best for you is down to your art style, your goals, and what you want to offer your users.

Each social media platform has its own flavor, but my advice is not to box yourself into just one. Mix it up to maximize your reach and make some real impact, and enjoy playing around to find the platforms that really sync with your art and goals.