I guess that depends on how you define success:
- If I make an instance for writers, and 30 writers use it ... success.
- If I make an instance for my friends, and we use it ... success.
Personally - Iβd rather have a tight-knit community than a zillion spammers regurgitating low-effort posts (like many reddit subs).
The cool thing about success is - you get to decide what it means.