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.

Well they are all using the brand's hashtag #myaveenostory so it sure looks like the brand has some control over the content so I can see where Alan is coming from. I guess ASA will decide 🤷🏼‍♀️

@myothernamewasfunnier why would using the brands # mean it's an advert?

Because using a brand's designated hashtag is an indicator that they have some control over the content. Whether it's effective control over the influencer endorsement is a matter of judgement for ASA.

@myothernamewasfunnier

I've had a quick look on the #myaveenostories page and as far as I can see none of the other posts on there have #ad. It's either definitely not an ad or there's a lot of non disclosure going on.

Also the venue Bourne & Hollingsworth is tagged on quite a few posts but no one has #ad that either.

If the poster has not been paid for the post and the company does not have control over the content of the post then it's not an ad.

If it was just a free brunch then I agree no ad. If it was a free brunch and a decent supply aveeno products to take home and post about on IG with the brand's hashtag then I guess it's debatable. I don't know the circumstances (and I'm not sure i care either).

@myothernamewasfunnier

Because using a brand's designated hashtag is an indicator that they have some control over the content. Whether it's effective control over the influencer endorsement is a matter of judgement for ASA.

I don't agree with the above. Loads of people use a brands # in their posts whether it's an ad or not.

I could post a pic of my children wearing Boden and use their #. It doesn't mean it's an ad, I'd not be being paid for it. If I had a huge following it would be good publicity for them so in effect an ad, but I wouldn't be using #ad as I would not be receiving anything for it.

If they gave you the Boden clothes and you used that hashtag it's a different story. That is the whole point of these threads!

Because using a brand's designated hashtag is an indicator that they have some control over the content

No it isn't. As @sofialemon said, anyone can use a hashtag. For their own stuff too. Doesn't automatically mean that the brand has control over the content!

@myothernamewasfunnier

Maybe have a read of the ASA link I posted. If a company invited me to an event and gave me a load of freebies but did not specify I must post any content about it or pay me then I wouldn't feel it needed #ad.

I said an indicator.

When a gift (payment in kind) is displayed in conjunction with a brand's hashtag it is stronger indication that the brand has control than if the gift was provided free of any conditions. All the brands love a hashtag and creating a buzz around the hashtag. They use you and me (unpaid stooges) and influencers to create that buzz and ergo sell more stuff.

Bodenbyme is a prime example of this.

@myothernamewasfunnier
If I was given the clothes then imo it would be #gifted.

Regarding the Aveeno event I don’t think it was an #ad however if the brand covered travel expenses and comped brunch/goody bags etc then it’s fair to disclose that when asked.

Having travel paid is a clear indicator that you’ve been #sponsored to attend in my opinion. The poster above stated in one post that she lives in Cornwall (or somewhere that way) so presumably travelled a long way to attend. The other poster who attended also lives outside London so it’s highly probable they’ve been compensated in some way to attend. If they just received expenses then simply say that.

Either way what’s the harm in asking for clarity politely? People describing that as trolling are grasping at straws.

The brand clearly expected some Instagram posts from participants as they created the hashtag and had the insta wet dream flower wall.

I doubt it was contractual (hence not an #ad) but while the influencers keep responding to their following with such unprofessional I think the criticism will spiral

I don't think the Aveeno thing was really shady ad in the grand scheme of things, and especially compared to some of the other stuff going on on IG. These sort of PR events have been going on for years but are now shoved in followers faces as "content" rather than being a press jolly that the magazine editors experience behind the scenes.

These sort of events present both an opportunity for the brands to get more exposure (hence the facilitation by means of the wet dream flower wall) but also some risk that some consumers will start to question what they see on their feeds and how authentic it is. That risk can easily be headed off by a "in the interests of full disclosure, Aveeno paid for my travel costs and have kindly gifted me some of their amazing baby care range that helps smooth sensitive skin" comment instead of "sod off Alan you egg head troll with your difficult questions"

On one of the the other bloggers pictures who attended the event you can see the instructions on the table clearly, a card saying share your love for Aveeno Baby at Instagram @Aveenobabyukire, the website address and the facebook page. It also tells them which hashtags to use and gives them the wifi address and password.

Along with the gifted product and the flower wall, it looks like the brand had a fairly strong hand in the content, actually. Maybe Alan had a point.

@myothernameisfunnier

Yes that certainly looks like an expectation of promotional content in return however the brand won’t have specified or have requested to screen content so just remains ethically dubious.

This definitely isn’t the most shady thing occurring however is just a recent example that I’d seen.

I think it’s good to discuss the smaller influencers and hopefully extend the conversation so they realise they can’t shut down the conversation by blocking people or calling them trolls/jealous.

The prompt to tag other influencers in their posts is clearly to widen the marketing reach.

See, I can actually agree in a way with that one (latest screenshot.) I'd put #ad in with the picture of the delicious breakfast as it's a post that's kind of in collaboration with a brand so I think I'd put it just on the safe side.
As in there's clearly been some payment in kind (ie delish breakfast event) in the expectation of some shoutouts.

I don't know if anyone has been following the discussion under Alison Perry's latest post today? Alison has handled it with aplomb and it has been so interesting to follow.

Either way what’s the harm in asking for clarity politely? People describing that as trolling are grasping at straws

I am rubbish at bolding but the above is a quote that sums most of these threads up for me.

Ok so I got to page 14 then skipped here but I gotta say I really think people are being far too polite. I don’t hate Instagram influencers but my god they don’t half pss me off. Personally I now have no problem with MOD I really feel that she has ruminated on the issue and changed her account due to the discussion on here. BUT it’s the wannabes who really grind my gears! They are so fake! They make out ‘I’m just like you’ but I’m also gonna use you so, ya’know, I don’t actually have to be like you forever. Whether it’s pretending (yes, pretending) to be mental health experts, or some sort of go-to interiors expert they are using their loyal (so sad) followers for £££. That is unethical and in humane so to Cady Sofia m5 - how on earth can that ever be ok? You’ll probably think I’m jealous? What is there to be jealous of? I’m lucky I have reached the pinnacle of my career, earning money that, as a child of a working class family, I could only have wished for, going on amazing holidays etc (not meaning to brag- just making the point that I ain’t jealous). There is nothing wrong with ambition- it got me to where I am today, difference is I didn’t 1) play on people’s inferiorities to get there 2) didn’t pretend to be something I wasn’t 3) didn’t sell my soul or my child’s face. I just typed out an account which is purely genuine to let you know about it but then deleted because I didn’t want people to think I was that account (🤷‍♀️) but there are genuine accounts out there! Instagram smacks of desperation to me; it’s incredibly sad- you’re either in the ‘group’ or you’re left desperately doing something, anything to get noticed by those who are the guardians of said group. Anyone ever said anything against any of ‘the tribe’ in their comments section? You get blocked- not just by the account holder but other influencers and you also get abusive, threatening messages from their followers sychophantic butt wipes*. Luckily I couldn’t care less, I love a good debate and so usually engage them in that until they realise they have no leg to stand on re:advertising, and so they start personal attacks on me 👍 luckily my self esteem is a-ok
Anyway I guess I just want to cut through the niceness and say yes instagram influencers are annoying, full of 💩 usually, they use their following for monetary gain yet no one is allowed to say anything?!? Say what? Which country are we living in?!? ✌️

Also when they start their stories yawning (sorry shouldn’t have started the story like that) or crying)I really don’t want to cry on here) oh p!ss off! Do they really think their followers are so dim? Don’t answer that, they probably do 😔

Agree with you doctor. These influencers are on the whole really pissing everyone off. Today the fatfunnyone posted a host of ads/gifted posts then used the popular influencer caveat of ' I'm not just hawking ya know, I'm actually a customer of this brand and love it'. Opening freebie after freebie and then justifying it to her often vulnerable followers. She sells mental health events with no experience of treating mental health. She hawked and begged for loads of freebies for herself and her mum. She's just come back from a free break and is sat opening her free goodies and then wonders why her account is not growing. I unfollowed ages ago as I can't bear the smug ad faces they all do.

It's all so embarrassing. Cringe. Set a better example. Stop exploiting followers. Stop hawking. Stop selling your kids. Stop being angry if you get questioned about your ethics. Lilandlife is the same. House is always messy, only happy if she's sat in a pub all day with her kids, and kids faces over every post to sell sell sell. And then moaning that she's only trying to earn a living.... Yes because you clearly need the pennies with your fancy gym membership, personal trainer, meals Out, holidays, weekly shopping sprees. It does my head in. Blocked every single one of them.

..... but Doctorbubbles , they are super tired, some of them have worked a whole day a week and have been super stressed looking after their own children and creating content for their Insta page. Bless. Not a fan of DMBL40 for her relentless maxi dress fetish, but got to love her honesty (and her writing ability) for conceding she was a lucky girl, doing something you couldn't describe as difficult and being in the right place at the right time. Well said DMBL40. I don't hate them but, God, they are full of self indulgent crap.

‘@cuddlecouch’ and ‘@ARumDo’ I’m glad I’m not the only one who sees through the sh!t
We’ll probably get told we’re jealous!
Super embarrassing! I have literally cringed (bit my fist, curled my toes almost until cramp) watching 1) the drivel they come out with and 2) the comments from they followers (yes (women).
But yes you’re right- they work SO MUCH harder than the average mum 🙄

Too right I'm jealous! I get to selflessly work full time, while raising 3 children, and all because I won't, just won't, monetise my dc by immortalising them on the internet for a quick buck. Guess I'm old school but I thought parenting was example-led, God only knows what these parents are teaching their children about a career in #influencing.