You’ve got your Flickr site set up and you’re regularly uploading photos and checking your activity feed, but you’ve reached a bit of a lull and need some guidance to reach the next level. There’s no perfect formula for building your audience on Flickr, but there are some tried and true strategies that can increase the visibility of your work. Flickr is home to a thriving community of photographers and creatives, and with some dedication, consistency and artistry, you can grow your following and build meaningful connections. This edition of Flickr Fundamentals explores the best ways to kickstart your growth journey.

Build your photography community

There is an overwhelming consensus among Flickr members that Flickr requires consistent and authentic engagement to thrive. With 21 years of experience, we’ve collected some of the most tried and true ways that engagement works on our platform. 

Join Flickr Groups 

Over the past year we’ve made finding community on Flickr easier, whether it’s through our Discover page –providing group suggestions based on interests –  or our new Groups page –highlighting popular, well-attended groups. One thing is certain: groups are where community is fostered. That’s why one of the best ways to expand engagement on Flickr is finding groups that speak to your interests and getting involved. 

Things to keep in mind as you get started: 

• Join groups that are relevant to your interests. Whether it’s a specific genre, location or camera brand, find a topic you feel connected to. 
• Once you’ve landed on a group, take time to comment on others’ photos and participate in discussions. This increases your visibility within the platform and can lead to more views and follows.
• Post photos regularly but never spam. Mass adding photos to groups can be perceived as disingenuous and may also result in being banned. 
• Focus on quality groups that generate actual engagement rather than quantity. For more information on getting started with groups, check out  From Views to Community – Meet Flickr groups that elevate engagement on the Flickr blog. 

Build relationships through exploration 

A popular strategy used to find new and exciting content on Flickr is to visit the Explore page. Every day, 500 photos are featured on Explore, showcasing a diverse collection of images for members to enjoy. Using the Explore page as a tool to start building your network is an efficient and interesting way to cover a lot of ground all in one place.  Find a photo you like and give the photographer a follow, it’s as simple as that. Once you’ve found some new photographers on Explore, check out their Faves pages to grow your network even further. Members are notified when they receive a new follower and this can prompt them to check out your site in return. 

A technical approach with SEO

You’ve probably heard the term SEO in reference to internet searches and discoverability online, and it’s relevant on Flickr too. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a practice that helps increase the chance of your content being discovered on the internet. We’ve created a quick list of ways to begin improving your site’s SEO. 

• Use Tags: Adding tags to your photos is important for improving the discoverability of your content. Make sure you include tags that are specific and also tags that are broad. Include tags that focus on subject matter, camera gear and genre. This practice will help improve your photos performance on internal Flickr searches and can also help influence external searches. Adding location data to your photos helps with local SEO.
• Post at peak times and consistently: Posting photos to Flickr earlier may increase the chances of them being seen by a wider audience throughout the day. Make sure you are also posting on a regular basis. The key is consistency – regularly uploading high-quality content will gradually improve your search visibility and attract more viewers to your Flickr site. 
• Crossposting is essential: Share your Flickr photos across other social media platforms. Embed them in blog posts and link back to your Flickr profile from your website. Creating these valuable backlinks drives traffic from multiple sources. 
• Use refined titles and descriptions on photos and albums:  Use descriptive, keyword-focused titles that people might search for. For example, instead of “IMG_1234.jpg,” use “Golden Gate Bridge at Sunset San Francisco.” Include detailed captions that use relevant keywords. What’s in the photo and where was it taken? Then organize your photos into themed albums with SEO-friendly titles and descriptions. The easier your content is to index by search engines, the better chance at improving your photos’ discoverability. 

Share your artistry 

• Introduce yourself to the Flickr community.  Filling out your About page is a must if you want to network on Flickr. When someone comes across your site, your About page is their first impression, so don’t skip this step. Don’t forget to include links to other social media platforms in your Flickr bio too.
• Focus on Visual Impact: Share the work you are most proud of.  Eye-catching photos with visible detail that look compelling even as thumbnails will get more clicks.
• Focus on Authenticity: Photographers on Flickr deeply respect artistry and collaboration over viral trends. With a focus on authenticity over algorithms, Flickr has held a level of integrity in the photography community the other platforms lack. Keep that deep respect for authenticity in mind as you provide and seek feedback on the site. The interactions built from this shared appreciation for artistry will result in a network full of peers and collaborators that you can continue to learn and grow with for years to come. 

Mindset and expectations 

Growth in any community takes time and consistent effort, and that holds true for Flickr as well. With regular engagement and participation, you’ll be rewarded with connections to talented creatives all over the world, but patience is key! The growth made possible through these interactions can be limitless and well worth the time you invest. Enjoy the journey.

Not a Flickr member yet? Sign up today to join our community of photographers and find your inspiration.