MarKeting McKenna

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Have you ever scrolled through the people you follow on your social media platforms and noticed how many influencers are in that list? I know I have, and I follow a good amount. Whether you stay up to date on influencers and follow many or you don’t follow any at all, they have changed the way social media was formed. As something that started out to keep you connected with your family and friends has now turned into one of the best ways to promote yourself, grow as a small business, become an influencer, and promote your products as a name brand.

Influencers not only have a strong presence on social media, but they are also asked to promote other brands’ products. Also known as “Influencer Marketing”. So whether you like it or not, you will come across an influencer on your social media platforms; they are everywhere. Is this a good or a bad thing for social media? I believe it is good because it allows people to make a career for themselves out of it, as well as sharing positive content on their platforms. I think it can be bad when an influencer begins to lie and not have good intentions on their platforms. The word influence means, “the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.” Coming from the Oxford Languages Dictionary, to be an influencer literally means to influence another in their life. When these intentions become wrong, it can cause great damage to one’s life if they are listening too much.

How do I know if an influencer has a positive or negative influence on my life? Speaking from experience, I have followed and unfollowed influencers by paying attention to how I feel when I watch their content as well as how they are affecting my life. I found that some influencers were taking a toll on my life that ate at me slowly. Once I realized this, I learned the importance of making sure I am watching content and following influencers that align with my values. This is just what has helped me and everyone is different. It is a personal choice on who you decide what is good to have in your life and who you are seeing on your social media every day. Because someone who I love might not work for you and visa versa.

With all that being said. Yes, influencers have changed social media. Some for the better and some not so much. It is important to keep in mind who we are watching and how they are affecting our lives. I don’t know about you, but I know that I want to live a life of joy and happiness. If that is not being brought into my life through social media, then something needs to change, especially who I am welcoming into my life. I would strongly encourage you to go through who you follow and genuinely ask yourself how that person makes you feel. Leave me a comment on how you think social media influencers have shaped these platforms.

Date Written: January 16, 2026