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.

I am engaging inbthe discussion. For you to dismiss my engagement on the basis that I am offering an alternative view is questionable. Their children; the effects of any harm that MAY occur will be for the parents to deal with.

I simply said you can choose to not engage in this topic if you don’t think it’s worth discussing (seeing as you seem to so obviously feel it is their parents business only)

We all have our opinions.

That's exactly right, poppytosh. Plenty of bloggers have shown that disclosing ads appears to make NO DIFFERENCE whatsoever to their popularity. So I don't understand the reluctance to just disclose and remove the risk of criticism from followers who do care about ad transparency and also to remove the risk of appearing on the weekly ASA list of non compliant advertisers. They just end up looking stupid when they have people arguing about whether its an ad or not in the comments section. And even more stupid appearing on the ASA list.

Unfollow and ignore recommendations in your feed. You are no longer a consumer in the IG marketplace you do not approve of. If you don't like it; leave the shop. I never go to M & S because I don't like what they sell. It really is this simple; oh wait, but then you wouldn't have any ammunition to constantly bitch about instamums. See your problem.

I wouldn't report the bug, but I haven't hesitated to report the underhand advertising to the ASA.

I have so much more respect for those bloggers/overs who are open and honest about he business side of their accounts. They would not be so successful without all their followers and I appreciate them acknowledging that aspect of the ig dynamic also. There are definitely some igers that handle all of these ethics really well imo

Don’t feel there’s so much “bitching” going on as there is respectful discussion but each to their own view

I don't follow them. I have no interest in instamums other than an interest in social media influencer tactics in general of which they are a part, and I like joining in the discussion because the topic interests me. I'm happy to discuss other categories of influencers if you would like to throw some names out, M5?

@m5slowdown - I don't object to ads on feeds of instagram accounts who otherwise post content I like and engage with so long as they're following the ASA guidelines. If there are accounts I've otherwise enjoyed following who I then see breaking rules or doing something that makes me feel like I've had the wool pulled over my eyes then should I just unfollow forever more only to see the same thing happen to another feed, and another, and another?

I would argue this discussion we are having here that you think we shouldn't be having is actually going to help instagram "influencers" in the long term if they choose to do things properly as a) it is debating and ironing out a lot of the niggly things that aren't covered by the current ASA Guidelines and, b) it makes them a much less irritating account for us (the instagram audience) to follow

It's a rubbish argument to say that if you don't like something you shouldn't discuss it.

I don't hate all instamums. I don't hate any of them actually. Anything in public domain, very much open to public scrutiny though. And there's a huge difference between scrutiny and bitching.

Actually, I'll throw a category out there because I think this one is a good one to discuss: Interiors accounts.

There are definitely more adverts creeping into interiors accounts and a lot of product placement. This one is slightly more tricky I suppose than fashion, where daily outfit changes can feel like the norm - how many times do you need to disclose something as an advert when you show a different angle of your rug hundreds of times in your feed? But interiors can still (maybe more) provide those feelings of inadequacy in that your house doesn't look "instagram worthy" because your hall is full of shoes and your kitchen table is stacked with papers. It is only when I started looking more critically at the interiors accounts that I realised there was a lot of styling going on - fairly lights twinkling under the beds, monstera plants left strategically on the stairs - and I realised I was being sucked into something that wasn't real. Then I started noticing the product placement going on. The La Redoute rugs, the QVC chairs, the Cox and Cox pots, the Desenio prints.

I think there is a lot of gifting of products which is why there isn't a lot of disclosure (as this is the classic influencer get out clause) but I think disclosure definitely needs to be improved all round. I don't think it would be hard to do in practice, IGers already tag their products so why can't they add a product list at the bottom like DBML does? IG is looking more and more like pages from interiors magazines so some supplier/ad credits would enhance transparency and help followers separate the real from the fake lifestyle. What do people think?

I actually think the disclosure on interiors accounts is pretty good. I agree the same nature of products is boring, so I've unfollowed a few like pink house living and Lisa Dawson because I think they're promoting companies they wouldn't use, like qvc and Sainsbury's. I've also seen really bad reviews about the infamous this season rug they are all promoting.

Jamon, I’ve reported the holiday not being #AD. Am I right in understanding from your post that you have too?
These threads obviously need to continue until all influencers use #AD and stop trying to con people.
I hope other people on here report it too. It doesn’t take long.
It is the only way to put an end to this continual deception/dishonest practice rife amongst influencers.

@m5slowdown out of interest:

What do you think is "our remit"?

Given you don't think this discussion is in remit here, have you reported it to MNHQ?

I personally don't object to any IG account because 'it makes me feel inadequate'. I'm sure you can regulate for that, as it is so subjective. I don't mind a styled room - in fact that is what I am looking for. The images are like art to me. The same way, I assume a fashion follower doesn't want to see a badly put together or scruffy outfit?

Sorry - I meant you can't regulate.

I do think on the whole the disclosure is better, but I think that's mainly because sponsorship is still in its infancy compared to beauty or fashion. That's only my impression, I could be completely wrong. I really loved the instasham hashtag that someone did recently, it gave an insight into some of the realities v the end result. A lot of the fashion bloggers were criticised for projecting an unrealistic image of how many clothes they really bought v gifted so I think the inadequacy issue is a real one and important in understanding how this sort of influencing works. Maybe with interiors it has less of a concerning effect because people can make small cheap changes such as tidying up or buying a plant rather than investing in a load of designer dresses to 'keep up' with the grammers.

Oh god not this again

So much material to work with Penelope!

I don't want no #spon
Spon is a hashtag that can get no love from me

Use 'sponsored' Instagrammers please for full clarity. Easier for people, including those on the autistic spectrum etc, to understand if it's spelled out.

PS: Can you guess what song I'm currently listening to?

BS!!!! If you are not a follower, you are not contributing to the monetisation of the accounts and an IGer has no accountability to you. There is masses of information in the 'public domain'. It becomes your business if and when it directly affects your life. These threads are a bitchfest...nothing more, nothing less. An example; a derogatory comment re. FOD's story with his daughter with her headphones on. The Meldrums are simply being attacked left and centre in the context of issues which are none of your business. They have the right to raise their children exactly how they wish. Leave these people alone if you are not a follower. Get on with your own life. Let the ASA take care of misdemeanours; this is nothing to do with any of you.

I can't remember when I first started looking at Instagram Accounts and you tube videos but the appeal for me was everyday girls/women showing me how they live their everyday lives. Now so many of them earn their money by doing ads and sponsored stuff that they are no longer showing me their everyday normal (and yes, sometimes mundane ) lives and as such it's lost it's appeal. I wanna see what top you really picked out your wardrobe this morning and put on - not the one joules or Debenhams sent you. I wanna see what makeup you really wear - not what you claim to wear cos you were #gifted #freebied. I wanna see where you really take your kids - not peppa pig world cos you blagged instamum blogger access...it's all so fake. They are living their lives based on what brands want them to sell - I think that's a sad way to exist.

BS!!!! If you are not a follower, you are not contributing to the monetisation of the accounts and an IGer has no accountability to you. There is masses of information in the 'public domain'. It becomes your business if and when it directly affects your life. These threads are a bitchfest...nothing more, nothing less. An example; a derogatory comment re. FOD's story with his daughter with her headphones on. The Meldrums are simply being attacked left and centre in the context of issues which are none of your business. They have the right to raise their children exactly how they wish. Leave these people alone if you are not a follower. Get on with your own life. Let the ASA take care of misdemeanours; this is nothing to do with any of you.

Goodness! Sensitive much?

this is nothing to do with any of you

What an ironic statement. They don't have everyday jobs hidden away in some dingy office, they are selling themselves, and their kids, online for all to see - that unfortunately does make it our business. They need to be held accountable just as any other company does.

M5slowdown which instagrammer are you? You have taken this conversation very personally.