To think Mumsnet doesn't hate Instagram influencers?

[jamoncrumpets]

And for prominent influencers who I will not name here for fear of them kicking off and getting the thread pulled to even hint that this might be the case is irresponsible on their part?

SO much gets discussed on MN every day. So much gets criticised. Social media influencers are a new and intriguing phenomenon - why wouldn't they be discussed here? For better or worse?

Many people have supported influencers for the way they earn money. That gets ignored. Many have politely criticised and pointed out ways it could be more ethical. This gets ignored. One or two have made comments that are personal or cross the line, these have been pounced on and discussed publicly.

The 'arguments' die down. People stop caring. Then prominent influencers go and start the whole thing up again.

Blaming MN is just lazy and irresponsible.

Was that today? I think it was also their women's A/W clothing press launch too, which may explain the non specific attendee list, if it was the same event.

@SpongeBobGrannyPants

Yes it was. I understand it was launching A/W range so would invite usuals but they wouldn’t not invite women to ladieswear launch so why not invite disabled children and their families when part of the launch is aimed at them?

@bawbles it was quite interesting watching clemmie Telford ig stories, they went from ‘look at these clothes for disabled children, how lovely’ then she reads the posts about the backlash and the penny drops.

@Keepitw0nky it really was.

I recall MP speaking out in similar vein after being part of some celebrity Mum panel in which all the mums were all middle class white and slim.

The Influencers won’t know the full details of what is being launched, who else will be there in advance but it’s gpod to see them using their voice for good when they see inequality. Particularly as this risks hitting them in the pocket if the brand then no longer wants to work with them

I’m pretty much in the middle with this, I actually do see it from both sides. I disagreed with the over investment in comments on how people put their kids on social media, arguing their kids their rules. I also commented that it was going too far when it was getting nasty on here and on insta. Yet the names I remember seeing time and time again are yours! I also do recall a time when these threads were much less active, could that have been when you stopped posting? Genuine question.

I also commented that it was going too far when it was getting nasty on here and on insta. Yet the names I remember seeing time and time again are yours! I also do recall a time when these threads were much less active, could that have been when you stopped posting? Genuine question.

Is that to me? Apologies if not. I've always stated that I think people should be wary of putting full details out there, I do think that there should be some modicum of privacy, whether it be fake/nicknames for the kids and maybe not putting posts in real time, for example.
Plus it's good if people disclose ads so people know what they're getting. When ads are disclosed, and people are still moaning and bitching, not so much.
I'm always interested in proper discussion. I like the mindset discussion and the ethics etc. If you meant me maybe my name is so prolific as I'm usually a dissenting voice on here lol.

@ABuckToothedGirlinLuxembourg
The only time I recall the threads going quiet is around the time one was deleted by Mumsnet. Following that Mumsnet were moderating and issuing warnings whenever comments strayed from genuine discussion re disclosure and using children.

Strangely no one had much to say when they were unable to blatantly bitch about their favourite insta family.

I don't mind Cady's input as she can often be a good person to put a brake on the thread when it does go off track. However although you keep saying you enjoy the discussion you rarely contribute to it and often just nit pick individual comments which isn't constructive (case in point yesterday morning when we started talking about oversight of IGers which Cady wasn't interested in as she couldn't tell anyone off).

Sofia however, exaggerates and magnify issues and is a big source of the problems on the thread she seems to care about. On an earlier thread you claimed some awful comments had been made about a blogger which were completely untrue. You make sweeping statements presented as fact (often not) and rehash discussions made and dealt with already, thus amplifying any nasty comments and self proving your "theories". I'm not interested in engaging with your toxic approach.

@sofialemon

^
Strangely no one had much to say when they were unable to blatantly bitch about their favourite insta family.
^

I completely disagree with this statement. I’ve seen some bitching. I’ve probably missed a lot of the nastiness as presumably it got removed. The majority of posts are having a genuine conversation which can’t be held on insta as there seems to be an army of sycophants who rush to defend the honour of a influencer when people question their practise.

I think it’s mostly right to focus on the larger accounts as these set the tone/example for the smaller ones.

People wanting to grow their following look at what the successful accounts do and emulate this. Where influencers are consistently using clear language to identify what is and isn’t sponsored content this sets a good example and will inevitably be copied by many.

There’s still lots of disparity in what is declared. I saw an Aveeno event where popular accounts were invited for lunch/goodies etc and this was reflected in their feeds but none of the accounts mentioned that the brand had comped them lunch/freebies/possibly travel. Yes there was probably no set agreement from the brand that the influencers would mention them but it’s clearly expected/will happen. Apart from Izzy Judd who tagged #ad as she is the brand ambassador all the others posts were ‘what a lovely brunch’ and ‘an amazing brand/product’ etc. This was a marketing exercise from the brand and should be identified as such in any posts regarding it.

I'm not sure the Aveeno thing would fall into the ASA remit but equally I think there is a difference between following the letter of the rules and the spirit, which is that marketing communications should be identifiable as such.

Agree re the consistency thing. There was an amazing interiors bloggers room makeover thing recently. I got reeled in through an image of an stunning light and when started looking into the whole event I realised it was very heavily sponsored. The related blogs of some of the IGers had some extremely clear discussion of the sponsored content but the IG images weren't even marked as sponsored in any way (tho when I looked at some of the other bloggers who took part they did highlight some as sponsored). I don't think Insta should be subject to different rules to blogs. The inconsistency is frustrating. The whole event is to inspire people to make over their own rooms, I get that, and it did a great job of it but now I've an image of a beautiful light that cost £1100 that I can't get out my head. Well and truly influenced. You'd think I'd learn 🙄

Serious question - who has enough material to house all these badges/brooches/pins/patches? Some of these influencers must have bags like a 90s indie-kid.

I like the badges

@myothernameisfunnier

I agree it is technically not against the rules but the influencers have got to be noticing that the tide is turning and people want more transparency.

Bloggers travelled from way outside London to attend. My experience as a blogger (years ago before it became a big thing) was that the brands would offer capped travel expenses for you to attend. That’s fair enough but be honest. I would respect someone who said ‘aveeno invited me to brunch and paid my train fare to attend. I’m under no obligation to big up the brand but really impressed with what I saw and the products they gave me’

@myothernamewasfunnier

I have never stated anything has been said about anyone that has not been. I also don't think I exaggerate.

These threads go back to last year and there has been a lot of bitchiness and unnecessary comments made re certain bloggers. The last few threads seem to be in the main sticking to discussing transparency.

@sofialemon

I can see why the mumsnet threads attracted so many posts. It simply isn’t possible to ask questions on IG without getting a mass shutdown from the followers of whichever influencer is asked for clarity.

Looking at the aveeno event one parenting blogger was questioned as to if one post was an #ad and the response did not address the question at all.

It would have been easy to say ‘aveeno sponsored me to attend by paying my travel costs and I received a complimentary brunch and a goody bag however I’m under no obligation to post about it so I haven’t marked it as an #ad’

But instead the response is that he’s fed up with his life.

This to me is exactly why people on Mumsnet are having discussion about ethics as unless you post the generic ‘you look gorgeous babe’ you get shot down.

Agree bawbles. I’m of the opinion that if you’re following the guidelines you’re supposed to, then what’s the harm if someone politely queries something? Can’t you just give a polite response in return?

Sofia I'm not going to repeat what you said because it was extremely hurtful to the blogger in question and you've been pulled up on it before and yet you are still sowing seeds of discontent based on exaggerations dressed up as fact.

That’s a really good example bawb of how not to ‘engage’. I think even deleting comments like that is preferable to saying that someone needs to see a doctor for their jealousy .

Which one of you is Alan 👀

Mummypiggle needs to google wot a doctor is for

@PeppaP

I did wonder if Alan was on here. I just clicked on her stories and she highlights this and where followers have told her he’s also sending ‘abuse’ to others.

I truly don’t understand how this is viewed as abuse/trolling etc. I am not surprised that someone made a fake account to ask questions too as using your everyday account would open you up to responses like that.

Her next post is offering a discount code and giveaway but again isn’t marked in any way as #ad #spon

I very much doubt that this is not paid or affiliated in some way so a clear violation of guidelines even after people have been asking her to be clearer

I’ve now got that advert in my head that keeps going ‘Alan, Alan, alaaan’

It’s scary that some IGers believe questioning = abuse.

I have spoken up under my real account on posts since deleted. My comments got likes and hate and blockings too, I do understand why someone would make a throwaway account to comment but it will just be used against them.

@bawbles

From your screen shot I can only read a few posts so no idea what was said. However it appears "Alan" has no posts, no followers and follows no one. Tbh I wouldn't engage with someone like that either.

@myothernamewasfunnier

So you're saying I made something hurtful up about a blogger and stated it as fact on here? Why would I do that?

sophia but if it was someone with no followers who left a gushing comment and question I’m sure it would be engaged with.