The Rise of Facebook Influencers: A Meaningless Trend or a Social Media Trap?

In recent days, a noticeable trend has emerged on Facebook—an increasing number of people, both men and women, are trying to become social media influencers. Initially, it was mostly housewives engaging in live sessions and content creation, but now, even men, including those with stable jobs and educational backgrounds, have started participating in this trend. While there is nothing inherently wrong with individuals expressing themselves online, the way many have chosen to do so is rather strange.

From going live without any particular reason to asking people to comment and interact, these influencers have turned Facebook into a stage for aimless engagement. Some have made it a routine to greet their followers multiple times a day—morning, noon, evening, and night—while others have adopted random taglines, performed lip-syncing videos, or even danced, often without any real skill or purpose. While this might be entertaining for some, for many others, it has become a source of irritation.

I don’t ignore the fact that social media has given us a great opportunity to earn money from home by showcasing our passion. Many are making substantial incomes, sometimes even more than what traditional businesses or service jobs offer. There are young creators who have earned crores through social media, proving that success is possible in this space. But they have done something for it—creating valuable content, engaging audiences meaningfully, and building a real digital presence. Simply engaging in mutual interactions and giving “Stars” to each other may help complete Facebook’s weekly monetization tasks, but this is not a sustainable path to success. It might provide temporary motivation, but in the long run, it can lead to disappointing results.

I have also been active on social media, running two YouTube channels—PS Art Gallery with 93,000 subscribers and Art and Craft with 38,000 subscribers—as well as a monetized Facebook page, Paintings, with 53,000 followers. Being an introvert, I don’t show my face; I simply share my painting process. But I don’t suggest that people should follow my way of working on social media. Instead, I encourage those interested in content creation to share their own ideas, creativity, and thoughts. Success on social media doesn’t come from copying others or relying on artificial engagement—it comes from originality and a genuine effort to offer something meaningful.

After talking to some individuals who have recently entered the influencer world, I realized that many have unknowingly fallen into the trap set by Facebook’s monetization system. Facebook encourages content creation by showing users that they are eligible for monetization after uploading just a few videos. Once they qualify, they are asked to fill out online forms with their banking details, giving them access to features like “Stars”—a virtual currency where viewers can send paid support to their favorite creators.

While this may seem like an easy way to earn money, the reality is different. Most of these content creators do not produce high-quality or engaging content that would justify people spending their hard-earned money on “Stars.” Instead, many end up in a cycle of mutual engagement—encouraging friends and acquaintances to support them while doing the same for others. This approach might work temporarily, but it does not lead to genuine success. Eventually, when the engagement slows down, many of these individuals struggle to cope with the sudden drop in attention and earnings.

This can have a serious emotional and psychological impact. I have noticed that when some of these influencers fail to get the expected engagement, they become unable to communicate with people in real life. The disappointment can lead to self-doubt, affecting their confidence and, in some cases, even creating problems within their families. It is also setting a dangerous trend for the younger generation, who might begin to believe that social media fame is the only path to success.

I am not writing this to discourage anyone. Instead, I want to help by offering a simple suggestion: whatever you do, take a step back and evaluate it. If you can honestly assess your own performance, I assure you—nobody can stop you from achieving success. Social media can be a powerful tool, but it should be used wisely, with a clear vision and a genuine purpose.