[GuB-42]

The concept of "privacy-first" and that of a social network like Instagram or TikTok with celebrities and influencers seem incompatible to me.

The entire point of such a social network is to be public, exposure is the point, not privacy. You want to broadcast your content to the entire world, you want recognition in terms of "likes" or for the luckiest, money, you don't go there to keep secrets.

For a privacy-first social network, usually what people want is to form smaller groups where people know each other. Think more like Discord than Instagram, or for a more privacy-focused alternative Matrix.

Alternatively, maybe take a look at OnlyFans. They are quite successful and don't depend on ad revenue, and considering what they do, I think people care about privacy.