Forget the influencers. Here come the 'deinfluencers' | CNN (2024)

Forget the influencers. Here come the 'deinfluencers' | CNN (1)

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Forget influencers. 'Deinfluencing' is now a thing

01:44 - Source: CNN Business

CNN

Step aside, influencers.

We’ve all seen those youthful, photogenic people who promote fashions, foods or services to their large followings on TikTok and Instagram.

But now a new breed of “deinfluencers” has arrived, and they’re saying that materialism and overpriced trends are no longer in style. As consumers watch their spending during these inflationary times, this emerging group of social media users is urging people to evaluate whether they really, really need that $185 weighted blanket.

Their messages are simple and straightforward: These items are overhyped, you don’t need them, and here’s why. Sometimes they suggest other options. They also talk about sustainability and the cost of waste associated with specific industries, such as beauty and fashion.

Deinfluencers are growing in popularity. On TikTok, for example, 582 million of the 584 million total views for the #deinfluencing hashtag occurred in the 12 months, the platform said in May.

To get a deeper sense of what deinfluencing is – and isn’t – we talked to people who understand it best.

What is deinfluencing?

Deinfluencing is an emerging social media trend that discourages consumers from buying certain products that the deinfluencer has found to be indulgent, ineffective or not worth the money, says Kris Ruby, a social media analyst and president of Ruby Media Group.

Forget the influencers. Here come the 'deinfluencers' | CNN (2)

Kris Ruby: ""To be deinfluenced, you have to be influenced to begin with."

It comes as social media has become crucial for marketing products and services – especially to younger consumers. A recent study showed that 87% of people surveyed followed a brand, visited its website or made a purchase online after they saw a product advertised on social media, making visual platforms such as Instagram and TikTok lucrative for promotions.

Brands and companies pay influencers to market goods, experiences and services to their followers. In short, influencing is trying to persuade social media users to buy certain products.

Deinfluencing is the opposite of that – but with some caveats.

Isn’t that just influencing by another name?

Ruby certainly thinks so.

“Rather than saying buy this, they are saying – don’t buy this. Both are forms of influencing. It is no different than saying, ‘Vote for this candidate,’ versus ‘Here’s why you shouldn’t vote for this candidate,’” Ruby says.

However, she says, deinfluencing and the backlash against overconsumption mirror a growing trend toward minimalism. Instead of buying a haul of “must haves” touted by a social media figure, this trend urges consumers to evaluate whether they need an item before they spend money on it.

Forget the influencers. Here come the 'deinfluencers' | CNN (3)

Mikayla Mains: "I like that we're taking a step back to rethink how we consume products."

Mikayla Mains, 28, is a content creator from St. Louis who says she connects with deinfluencer culture. She says the trend feels refreshing at a time when social media marketing can feel like pressure by suggesting you need pricey luxuries to feel good about yourself.

“As someone who’s always struggled in the influencer realm with the morals of influencing, I love to see us taking a turn in a different direction,” she says.

“While I don’t think influencing is all bad, I do like that we’re taking a step back to rethink how we consume not only products, but also content.”

Michelle Skidelsky, a Canadian deinfluencer, used a recent post to tell her 173,000 TikTok followers that they don’t need a new wardrobe at the start of every season.

“First of all, new clothing that’s not like fast fashion is so expensive these days,” she says. “If you’re going on a trip, if you’re going to a concert, you probably don’t need an entirely new wardrobe for either of those things. Make do with what you have, and live within your means.”

Skidelsky then discourages people from going overboard on summer accessories such as sunglasses, purses, belts and totes.

“You definitely don’t need multiple new pairs of sunglasses,” she says. “Listen, I know it’s really fun to have your sunglasses match your outfit and to use them as accessories and whatever. But how does your bank account feel about you constantly buying new sunglasses? Probably not great.”

Forget the influencers. Here come the 'deinfluencers' | CNN (4)

Michelle Skidelsky discourages her followers from buying multiple items they don't need.

How much can we trust deinfluencers?

Not everyone is sold on deinfluencing. Aria Connor, 36, creates lifestyle content on social media and says some deinfluencers are not in it for the right reasons.

“A lot of the people participating in the deinfluencing trend are more interested in making people feel bad for spending their money in a way that doesn’t align with the deinfluencer’s values or budget,” she says.

Others, she says, are simply trying to persuade people to buy some other product. Connor doesn’t believe either is helpful to consumers.

Forget the influencers. Here come the 'deinfluencers' | CNN (5)

Aria Connor: "Stop calling it deinfluencing. Just call it a difference of opinion."

“There are so many deinfluencers telling their audience, ‘Don’t buy that. Buy this.’ And in that case, stop calling it deinfluencing,” she says. “Just call it a difference of opinion on what the best products are.”

Some deinfluencers suggest their followers avoid specific products, while others speak more generally about not wasting money on items that people don’t really need. Ruby says it is not clear whether some deinfluencers are getting paid by rival brands to disparage products.

But those who tell followers what to avoid may have more credibility than people who only share recommendations on what to buy, she says. Ruby says deinfluencers may instill more trust in their followers because their advice sounds honest.

Mains, who has 13,000 TikTok followers, says deinfluencers can bring much-needed balance to social platforms that encourage overconsumption and have been blamed for a rise in mental health issues among adolescents.

But social media advice on what to buy or what not to buy is not all that meaningful, she says. Instead deinfluencers should be getting people “to question how we’re consuming, what we’re consuming and why we’re consuming (it),” she says.

“The problem with a new movement like this is everyone gets to kind of make up their own meaning behind it,” she adds.

Some say deinfluencers help hold brands accountable

Victoria Sola, an influencer who creates beauty content, says deinfluencing promotes honest conversations about products and empowers underrepresented consumers.

As an example, she cites deinfluencers who call out brands that exclude products for people of color.

These deinfluencers help promote transparency and hold brands accountable, says Sola, who has 17,000 followers on TikTok and has challenged the effectiveness of some sunscreens on people of color.

“Many people lose trust in influencers who just want to get paid and forget that on the other side, there is a person who just wants you to speak to them on an honest, real level,” she says.

Ruby, the social media analyst, offers another perspective. Influencing and deinfluencing on social platforms aren’t that different, she says.

“To be deinfluenced, you have to be influenced to begin with. I think the deinfluencing trend takes place within an echo chamber social media system where people are … familiar with the products being deinfluenced,” she says.

The key for consumers, she says, is not trusting everything you see on TikTok, YouTube or Instagram. That way, you don’t need to be deinfluenced.

Forget the influencers. Here come the 'deinfluencers' | CNN (2024)

FAQs

Who are some micro-influencers? ›

Some well-known micro-influencers include:
  • Alina Gavrilov, a fashion micro-influencer with 99,800 followers.
  • Francesca Newman-Young, a travel micro-influencer with 84,900 followers.
  • Lonni Smith, a beauty micro-influencer with 64,000 followers.
  • Russ Crandall, a food micro-influencer with 40,400 followers.
6 days ago

What is a Microinfluencer on Tiktok? ›

Micro-influencers have between 10,000 and 50,000 followers. Mid-tier influencers have between 50,000 and 500,000 followers. Premium/Macro influencers have between 500,000 and 1,000,000 followers. Celeb/Mega influencers have over 1,000,000 followers.

What is a Deinfluencer? ›

Deinfluencing is when average social media users give honest reviews of the products which they say they have been influenced to buy. Usually this means that they say that the items are actually of a low quality and advise people not to buy them.

Is an influencer a person who can influence? ›

An influencer is a person who can influence the decisions of their followers because of their relationship with their audience and their knowledge and expertise in a particular area, e.g. fashion, travel or technology. Influencers often have a large following of people who pay close attention to their views.

What are the 4 types of influencers? ›

4 Different Types of Influencers Based on Follower Count
  • #1: Micro-influencers. Number of followers: 5,000 — 100,000. ...
  • #2: Mid-tier influencers. Number of followers: 100,000 — 500,000. ...
  • #3: Macro-influencers. Number of followers: 500,000 — 1M. ...
  • #4: Mega-influencers. Number of followers: 1M+
Oct 7, 2022

Do micro influencers get paid? ›

According to InfluencerMarketingHub, the standard Instagram influencer rate sheet based on reach is as follows: Nano influencers (1000 - 10,000 followers): $10 - $100 per post. Micro influencers (10,000 - 50,000 followers): $100 - $500 per post. Mid-tier influencers (50,000 - 500,000 followers): $500 - $5,000 per post.

What is an example of deinfluencing? ›

What is an example of deinfluencing? Dermatologists telling consumers which skincare products aren't worth the hype or they should avoid is an example of deinfluencing.

What is the deinfluencing trend on TikTok? ›

So she made a "deinfluencing" video — a TikTok-coined term that describes the rejection of viral, cult-favourite beauty or lifestyle products (typically associated with influencer culture) in favour of more affordable choices.

Why are TikTok views so low? ›

If you are getting zero or low views on your TikTok videos, it can come down to several reasons: New accounts do not get views immediately. Research popular trends and create a consistent posting schedule to get your initial views.

What personality types are influencers? ›

A person with a high I personality type in their DISC profile is an Influencer. An Influencer likes to interact with people and is very outgoing. They like to be around people and socialize more than someone with a low I personality type who is more reserved.

What are the negative effects of influencers? ›

Many influencers promote unrealistic body standards, which can contribute to body dissatisfaction and eating disorders among their followers. They also promote materialism and consumerism, encouraging their followers to buy products that they don't necessarily need or can't afford.

Do influencers have a responsibility? ›

If you've decided you're going to sell to people on social media, you're responsible for that. This means that you have to consider what you promote seriously. An influencer should never promote something that they don't support or lie about a product to generate sales for the brand.

How much are TikTok influencers paid? ›

Micro-influencers with 10,000 to 100,000 followers (earnings of $60-$90 per post) 100k-500k followers – mid-tier influencers (payouts range from $200-400) 500k-1 million followers – macro-influencers (earn $400-600 per post) 1 million or more followers – TikTok royalty (earn $750 – $1000 or more per post)

How many followers is considered an influencer? ›

People with followers in the range between 500,000 and 1 million followers on a social network are macro-influencers. Most influencers are micro-influencers with between 10,000 and 50,000 followers. In really specialist niches, you have nano-influencers with fewer than 1,000 followers.

How do influencers get paid? ›

Social media influencers make money with sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, brand partnerships, official network monetization programs, merchandising, and direct donation (tipping, subscriptions, etc.).

What are the three levels of influencer? ›

Mega-influencers with more than a million followers (think celebrities) Macro-influencers with 500K to 1 million followers. Mid-tier influencers with 50K to 500K followers. Micro-influencers with 10K to 50K followers.

Who is the most effective influencer? ›

The top 10 influencers on Instagram
  • Lele Pons. ...
  • Charli D'Amelio. ...
  • Chiara Ferragni. ...
  • Sommer Ray. ...
  • Cameron Dallas. Number of followers: 25.1M (@camerondallas) ...
  • Zach King. Number of followers: 24.6M (@zachking) ...
  • Amanda Cerny. Number of followers: 23.3M (@amandacerny) ...
  • MrBeast. Number of followers: 22.7M (@mrbeast)
Feb 14, 2023

Who is the highest paid influencer? ›

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) One of the most well-known football players in the world, Christiano Ronaldo hardly needs an introduction.

Who pays influencers the most? ›

Who is the most paid social media influencer?
  • Cristiano Ronaldo, who makes $2,4 million per sponsored post.
  • Kylie Jenner, who earns nearly $1,8 million per sponsored post.
  • Selena Gomez, who makes nearly $1,7 million per sponsored post.
  • Kim Kardashian-West, who makes $1,6 million per sponsored post.
Feb 1, 2023

How much Instagram pay for 1 million followers? ›

Influencers with followings between 1,000 and 10,000 followers earn $1,420/month on average while influencers with over a million followers earn $15,356/month.

What is anti influencing? ›

What is de-influencing? Overall, de-influencers or anti-influencers are content creators who do the opposite of influencers: They want us not to buy and spend money on a product. Either because it's not worth the money or the hype or has been over-exposed and, thereby, made people fed up.

How many views did videos with the hashtag #deinfluencing have as of February 2023? ›

As of February 28, 2023, the hashtag #deinfluencing generated 281M views on TikTok, with various creators taking part in the action.

What was the biggest TikTok trend ever? ›

“Yeehaw” Challenge

The song became a global hit in large part because of TikTok, and it spawned arguably the most popular challenge on the platform, the “Yeehaw Challenge”.

Will influencers go away? ›

With so many benefits, influencer marketing is not going away soon. However, there are a few words of caution. Make sure the influencer you choose aligns with your brand values. Someone might be very popular, but if they're controversial or politically tone-deaf, they could damage your brand.

What are deinfluencing videos? ›

Deinfluencing videos continue to go viral for doing the literal opposite of traditional influencer videos that promote fashion, beauty, wellness and home products. Instead, these posts try to convince viewers not to buy buzzy items, often while promoting more cautious spending habits.

Does rewatching a TikTok count as a view? ›

If the video autoplays or loops, or a viewer comes back to watch it multiple times, those all count as new views. (When you watch your own video, however, those views are not counted.)

Has TikTok shadowbanned me? ›

However, there are some key indicators that'll determine if you've received a shadow ban: Content is not visible on the For You page or search. Videos won't upload (they will say “under review” or “processing” instead) A drastic drop in likes, views, or shares.

How much does TikTok pay you for 1 million views? ›

How Much Does TikTok Pay For 1 Million Views? Generally, the TikTok Creator Fund pays between $20 and $40 per one million views. This data comes from a survey of TikTok influencers, which found that TikTok pays between $0.02 and $0.04 per 1,000 views, so it's only an estimate.

What are the 4 personality styles called? ›

The four personality types are: Driver, Expressive, Amiable, and Analytical. There are two variables to identify any personality: Are they better at facts & data or relationships?

What are the 6 personality types? ›

The Six Personality types

The six types are Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. The theory classifies people into their respective categories by evaluating how a person approaches life situations — and most people fall into more than one category.

What are the 7 different personality types? ›

The seven archetypes of King, Priest, Sage, Scholar, Warrior, Artisan, and Server have always existed in every society, and everyone belongs to one of these groups. Thousands of people around the world have used this system to discover their true nature and to find fulfillment.

What do influencers struggle with the most? ›

Influencers struggle to maintain creativity. As a social media influencer, you may have to work with a different collaborator, creator, or brand on a daily basis, which means your creativity can take a serious hit. Every collaborating brand has a message different from the others.

What is the dark side of social media? ›

Lets face it: social media can be great in so many ways, its probably how you ended up here. But it can also cause a lot of harm. From trolls, to the pressure of posting the perfect selfie, studies have found there is a direct connection between loneliness and depression and social media.

What makes a bad influencer? ›

'The Bad' influencers are those which are reluctant to give away their metrics. In these cases you know it is possible their profile is underperforming or there might be a chance they're buying followers or likes.

How do you deal with influencers? ›

Here are a few things you can do to strengthen your influencer collaborations.
  1. Approach an influencer only if you have an intent to work with them. Brands often approach numerous influencers only to realise later that most of them are not apt for their campaign. ...
  2. Not trusting their content. ...
  3. Give realistic deadlines.

What is the rule for influencers? ›

New Rules for Social Media Influencers

As per the update, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) can impose fines of up to ₹10 lakhs on manufacturers, advertisers and endorsers. A fine of up to ₹50 lakhs can be imposed for subsequent offences.

What do most influencers do? ›

Influencers are social media users who have a significant number of followers and use their platform to market various goods and services based on brand partnerships. They use their online presence to collaborate with brands they use and create content that advertises their products.

Who are the best micro influencers? ›

Top 100 Micro Influencers List in 2023 (Fashion, Beauty, Tech, Travel, and Fitness)
  • CLARA FAMULARO @clarafamularo (99.5K) – Top Fashion Micro Influencers. ...
  • GEMAÉN JORDAN TAYLOR @gemaentaylor (66.2K) – Top Fashion Micro Influencers. ...
  • LAUREN CARUSO @laurencaruso_ (53.4K) – Top Fashion Micro Influencers.

Who are some micro celebrities? ›

20 Top Micro-Influencers to Follow
  • Karla Cristina. Fashion and lifestyle blogger Karla has 27.6K TikTok followers who love to see her try-on hauls, skin-care product reviews, and beauty tutorials. ...
  • Madeline Fricke. ...
  • Jamie Orr. ...
  • Caroll Salazar. ...
  • Kevin Heimbach. ...
  • Christian Caro. ...
  • Maxime Senior. ...
  • Plant Me Ashley.
Jul 4, 2022

Who is considered a micro celebrity? ›

A micro-celebrity, also known as a micro-influencer, is a person famous within a niche group of users on a social media platform. Micro-celebrities often present themselves as public figures. The concept of the micro-celebrity was originally developed by Theresa Senft and P. A.

How many influencers are micro? ›

47.3% of all creators are micro-influencers, the largest group among all tiers. Meanwhile, celebrities, macro-, and mega-influencers account for only 0.5-6.5% of all content creators.

How many followers do you need to be a micro celebrity? ›

A micro-influencer is an influencer with a follower count within the range of 10,000–100,000 followers. Influencers are typically broken down into four main types based on their follower count: Nano-influencers: 1K–10K followers. Micro-influencers: 10K–100K followers.

Who is the most powerful influencer? ›

Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has 531M followers, making him the top Instagram influencer.

Who are the hottest influencers? ›

Meet the 24 Top Female Instagram Influencers: Hot Accounts to...
  1. iJustine. Followers: 1.6 Million. ...
  2. HallieTut. Followers: 23,700+ ...
  3. Jessica Iliana. Followers: 41,300+ ...
  4. Erin McGoff. Followers: 20,700+ ...
  5. Ana Lily Amirpour. Followers: 29,100+ ...
  6. Amma Asante. Followers: 23,300+ ...
  7. Emily Canham. Followers: 714,000+ ...
  8. Estee LaLonde.
Mar 6, 2022

What is an Z list celebrity? ›

used to describe people who are only slightly famous, or who are famous but not for doing anything special: They got a few Z-list celebrities to come to the party. Compare.

What is the lowest celebrity list? ›

The D-list is for a person whose celebrity is so obscure that they are generally only known for appearances as celebrities on panel game shows and reality television.

Who was the first ever influencer? ›

In the year 1760, the concept of influencers began. A potter named Josiah Westwood created a tea set for Queen Charlotte and publicized himself as the “Potter of her Majesty.” This title and the royal family's stamp of approval deemed his brand as a staple and is called the “father of modern marketing”.

How many followers do you need to be considered an influencer? ›

People with followers in the range between 500,000 and 1 million followers on a social network are macro-influencers. Most influencers are micro-influencers with between 10,000 and 50,000 followers. In really specialist niches, you have nano-influencers with fewer than 1,000 followers.

How much does TikTok pay for 1 million followers? ›

How much money does 1 million TikTok followers make? TikTok creators with 1 million followers or more can expect to make an average of $1,500 per post for branded content. One creator, Jenn Leach, reported earning $88 for 1.6 million views, which works out to 6 cents per 1,000 views.

Who was the first online influencer? ›

Who was the first social media influencer? There is no clear “first” influencer on social media. However, many consider fashion designer Coco Chanel the first influencer closest to how we think of them today.

Why do people trust micro-influencers? ›

With a smaller but highly engaged following, micro-influencers provide brand exposure that audiences will trust more. Your brand will truly benefit from the trusted credibility and personal connections that micro-influencers have.

What percentage of influencers lie? ›

More than half (55 per cent) of Instagram influencers were involved in some form of social media fraud and fakery in 2020, despite an eight percentage point decrease from 2019. A new study by HypeAuditor also found 45 per cent of Instagram accounts were fake.

How much money does the average influencer make? ›

Instagram influencers with less than 10,000 followers can earn $88.00 for every post on average. Those with fewer than 100,000 followers spend an average of $200.00 for every post, though this varies significantly from account to account.

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