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The Subtle Journey of Online Influence
I recently analyzed my online journey to understand how I moved from step one to step three. It was an interesting experience that I wanted to share to help others avoid some of the pitfalls I encountered. Being “influenced” online is often incredibly subtle; it doesn’t necessarily mean you are following specific influencers. Instead, it involves your mindset, what you are looking for, and how the algorithm leads you from point A to point B—eventually resulting in you spending money on products you didn’t initially seek out.
From Suitcases to Makeup
My journey began when I needed a new suitcase for a heavy travel schedule in November. After researching roller bags, I started seeing targeted ads on Facebook and Instagram. I am very active in Facebook groups for the community aspect, though I’ve considered moving toward Discord or Reddit. As I scrolled through my feed, I was served ads for travel accessories: neck pillows, seat cushions, and vacuum-seal packing bags.
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Then, the focus shifted. I began seeing ads for travel hair care, such as shampoo bars and specialized brushes. This evolved into general hair styling tips, then facial serums, and finally makeup. I have never been a “makeup person,” yet I found myself watching YouTube videos and researching how to apply the perfect eyeliner. I had to stop and ask myself, “How did I get here?” I was spending money on things I had never even heard of a few weeks prior.
Strategies to Stay “Uninfluenced”
To keep your money in your pocketbook and avoid the “scarcity mindset,” here are a few tips for navigating social media:
- Customize Your Feed: If you don’t want to leave social media entirely, use specific tabs to view only your “Groups” or “Friends.” This allows you to check in with your community without being bombarded by the main feed’s algorithm-driven ads.
- Set Time Limits: Limit your scrolling to 30 minutes. If you hop in, check your notifications, and hop out, you are much less likely to be sucked into an ad spiral.
- Don’t Trust Ad Comments: Ignore the comment sections on Facebook or Instagram ads, as these are often filled with bots or paid reviews.
- Research on Reddit: Search for a product name followed by “Reddit” on Google. Look for non-brand-specific subreddits (like “makeup over 40”) to find honest pros and cons from real users.
- The One-Week Rule: Give yourself at least seven days before hitting “buy.” Most countdown tickers and “limited time” sales are permanent fixtures designed to create artificial urgency. Unless it is a major holiday like Black Friday, the sale price will likely still be there next week.
Understanding the Influencer Role
As an influencer myself, I understand that we post products we think our audience will enjoy. These posts often contain affiliate links, meaning the creator earns a commission from your purchase. While using these links is a great way to support the creators you love and keep their content free, you should still perform your own independent research to ensure the product is right for you.
Awareness is half the battle. By recognizing why you are being served a specific ad, you can make more intentional decisions and ensure you only buy products that truly satisfy your needs.
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This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive compensation if you make a purchase using the links.
