When you call Pixelfed an “Instagram alternative” you misunderstand that Instagram is not a photo-sharing app for people anymore.
If you have a lot of active friends, you can spend maybe 5 minutes catching up on their stories. Then you can spend hours watching algorithmically-targeted, attention-stealing ads as “Content.”
Instagram is YouTube for Kids for Parents. It’s mass brainless preoccupation.
Pixelfed actually is a place for people to share photos.