Instagram ‘models’/‘influencers’ - is it just me?

[OneLeafHill]

I only follow a few of these types on insta (and not sure why I do really!!!) - mostly from when I used to watch Made in Chelsea etc years ago so I’ve got Binky Felstea and co.

These people have all become ‘models’ of some sort via Instagram, even though they weren’t models before appearing on a reality show. Their lives now seem to just be endless posts where they are either showing off something they’ve been ‘gifted’ by a company, taking photos of themselves looking as thin as possible and the frequent #ad ‘I just can’t live without this Nivea deodorant!’

AIBU to think there’s something slightly depressing about it? I know in some ways It seems like an ideal way to make money - literally just take a few glamorous photos, keep yourself really thin and get sent loads of free stuff. But how much pressure must these people be under? If they gain weight they’re stuffed really. If Instagram suddenly died, they’d also be stuffed. Their fame is based on, what, being nice looking but not much else? They aren’t actors or musicians or supermodels.

Don’t get me started on once they have a baby and suddenly all the content is about their child and motherhood! I find that quite sad for the child.

I just find the whole concept quite strange and sad - how have we ended up in a place where so many of these people make money based on posting inane photos/vids of their lives? Where will it end?

[HoneysuckIejasmine]

They do it because people follow them. If no one did then they wouldn't make money from it and companies wouldn't be giving away freebies.

Unfollow.

[OneLeafHill]

@HoneysuckIejasmine but WHY has it become such a thing? People will never unfollow - I suppose it’s a nosey thing to some extent (that’s probably why I’ve got a few of them )

[Othering]

Lots of 'jobs' are insecure though. You can be made redundant etc in a moment. I guess they've just capitalised on a current trend. That said, I find it incredibly uncomfortable when people monetise their children on Instagram.

[LouiseTrees]

Narcissism at its best really.

[OneLeafHill]

@Othering yes a lot of these types would have probably started losing fame but then conveniently have a baby and can start modelling them!

[OneLeafHill]

@LouiseTrees yes I suppose so - I know we’ve always had supermodels but there’s something worse about people taking endless photos of themselves going about their (glamorous) day to day life.

[MsWoodentop]

Yes, just unfollow them. I don't see the point of these people. If I want to decide what cleaning product or face cream to use, I'll decide for myself (or ask a huge range of posters on MN!) rather than listen to someone who is paid to put drivel on Instagram. The blurring of reality and scripted lives is intensely irritating (it started with those daft programmes ike TOWIE and the Housewives of wherever, and don't get me started on those Kardashians ). I'm not remotely interested in their lives either. Why not go the whole hog and get rid of Instagram?

[CaptainMyCaptain]

I don't know why people follow anyone like that tbh. I only follow people whose work I admire (including sewing or gardening as a hobby) or who I actually know.

[spiritedawai]

You need to follow @influencersinthewild on Instagram

[BubblyBarbara]

Narcissism at its best really.

The opposite really. The big influences aren’t doing it to look at themselves but for all the other people who want to look at them. This is a disease of the audience, not the creator.

[InsaneInTheViralMembrane]

Apparently they are frequently the “item for sale”. Google Dubai porta-potties. Once your breakfast has settled.

[BonfireStarter]

unfollow

[FTMF30]

[quote OneLeafHill]@HoneysuckIejasmine but WHY has it become such a thing? People will never unfollow - I suppose it’s a nosey thing to some extent (that’s probably why I’ve got a few of them )[/quote]
Shouldn't you be able to answer why it gas become a thing, OP? You follow such people afterall. What's so good about following them?

[OneLeafHill]

@BubblyBarbara but if they didn’t think they were beautiful (or had been made to feel that way!) would they have the confidence to post all these things?

[thecatsarecrazy]

This kind of thing is everywhere. On twitter you don't have to be a super model or even be skinny, woman with normal mum bods attract attention. Have wish lists, get gifts of underwear and PayPal money. Or earn a few quid on admire me or only fans. It can be a boost but also attracts a lot of weirdos

[ShandlersWig]

I dont understand the issue with them. By following you are helping create the perceived issue youve mentioned.
Why do they do it? Because they get paid, and is an alternative career path for the usual 9 to 5.

Think about it. If you could get paid enough not to have a 'normal' job for a few snaps a week, would you really turn it down?

[Pantsupyourbum]

I’ve started to think exactly this top of late, to the point I deleted Instagram. It’s basically all #ads now. Loads of “loads of people asking where I got xyz from” swipe up and buy it so they get the income when you know full well hardly anyone would ask, Stacey Solomon is a big one on that!
Lucy mecklelburg is a new one to jump on the “mummy” bandwagon #ads are constant, it’s like she’s the first mum in the world to breast feed!!!
So like I say, I’m glad I deleted and don’t waste my time anymore...

[FizzyPink]

It’s interesting when you realise how much of their lives are actually fake and not how they portray themselves including using so many filters you wouldn’t recognise them if you saw them in the street.

A certain one springs to mind who promotes a very luxury image and lifestyle and claims to live in a large Manor House. Actually it’s all gifted and they live in a very modest 2 bedroom flat within the “Manor House” shared by lots of other people! Don’t believe half of what you see on Instagram, it’s incredibly easy for people to lie and distort reality which is very sad when their audiences are impressionable teenage girls

[OneLeafHill]

@FTMF30 I fully intend to unfollow- some of these I’ve just kept passively in my list really, I know some people are endlessly liking and commenting.

It was more thinking about why this is even a ‘thing’ and I know I am part of the problem currently

[Gobbycop]

These people are completely irrelevant.

Useless.

[SimonJT]

You can make a decent amount of money. A friend is a fairly successful PT, he advertises a few different brands on instagram maybe 2/3 times a month and it brings in a fair chunk of money for very little work.

[OneLeafHill]

@Turnedouttoes interesting!!! Any clues as to who that is?

[hammeringinmyhead]

It's not new. I started watching fashion and beauty reviews on YouTube in about 2009. Companies realised that social media inc. Instagram was a good way for advertising to seem more authentic, and started sending out freebies. Then, money per post as well as the free item. Companies like Gleam Futures started calling social media influencers "talent" and offering to "manage" them.

Then rules about disclosing whether something was an ad or not came in, which should render it all useless really as it's so obviously fake, but it still seems to work on people.

[OneLeafHill]

@Pantsupyourbum I like Instagram for following friends who live far away etc but I am going to unfollow these people!

[PeppaPigMakesMeGrrrrr]

@turnedouttoes I want to know who that is too!