Instagram Fake Blogger Awards and Blueticks

Instagram is influencing the industry to ‘Fake Blogger Awards’

There are valid proofs I will provide you today why I called bloggers, award ceremonies, and charities fake. And this system is completely ruined and unstoppable. Fake bloggers, fake blueticks and fake awards have already gone too far. In today’s Instagram-bloggers world, authenticity has been far beyond damaged. Instagram-bloggers and everyone else has gotten caught up with all the fake follower-increasing ways. It’s like you don’t have a choice but turn into a fake blogger. It’s a new norm. If you want to keep up in the ‘Instagram blogger’ world, you gotta do what everyone else is doing. Social pressure. It tells me that, Instagram has massively succeeded in business and morally failed us all.

It’s not just hating Instagram, it’s all about how damaging it is to be an Instagram blogger or even just a normal user. Read Emily’s story here.

Fake Instagram Blogger vs Truthful one

I also believe that Instagram failed because of not having ground rules, to begin with from day one. True bloggers are rare, while everyone else is a famous blogger with hundreds and millions of followers, but no earnings and no fame in a reality. True bloggers are the ones whose followers don’t grow, and accounts don’t get much of an engagement. Being an Instagram Blogger today means joining WhatsApp groups, gaining like for like, comments for comments, and fool brands. Make them think that all those comments and engagements are real. Alas, that’s a lie.

Being an Instagram Blogger myself for three years, dealing with a lot of local and international brands in Dubai. I have experienced it all. Finally, I decided to quit Instagram for good in late 2020. I took an online course (2019) and was surprised when it had being in Whatsapp or Telegram groups and supporting each other to increase comments as part of a hack, rather than an unethical behavior. Currently, Instagram identifies such behavior against Instagram rules. Including the Giveaways. But those courses still teach you to implement Giveaways, which is a bribe in other words. These activities have become norms now. The only way to stop it all is, to shut down that platform once and for all.

Sustainable Fashion Brands read here

Celebrity Wanna-bes’, but can you blame them?

It’s unfair. But what is? Now everyone’s dream is to be popular, recognized, and make a 6-7 figure income. When you can shop bluetick and followers, anyone feels they are closer to their dream of fame and fortune. They just forget they are living in a dilemma of their own lies. Because numbers look too good in their eyes. It is as close to being addicted to gambling. Most famous actors and actresses, not all of them have even won awards. Even though they are famous. In this case, it is all about a little slice of fame. This fake Instagram culture is only filling the pockets of service providers.

I have been receiving emails, disturbing emails, and DMS on my Instagram which are unstoppable. All offerings are payment-based. You are not here just because you want to buy fake awards, rewards, or an Instagram bluetick. But to know the exact reality all about what is happening in influencers, the Instagram bloggers world today.

Industry Leaders pushing ‘Fake Blogger Awards’

I see influencers are desperate to grow, to be rewarded, appreciated, to be accepted as an influencer, content creator, or blogger. They want to prove to people yes, there! All of a sudden an Instagram blogger you know has been awarded either a crown or an Influential blogger or an Instagram bluetick out of nowhere. Because she is real (actually fake, cause she bought it, but you wouldn’t know.) And some companies understand that there is a hunger, so why don’t they make money from it. It’s a very profitable business at the end of the day. A win-win for business and for the so-called ‘Influencers’. So what they are doing is, arranging a big event, in a nice hotel. Setting tables… adding even a charity.

Since when a charity became a joke?

It’s not hard to be a sponsor of a charity, but the best way to find an excuse is to charge influencers a premium amount of money like 290$ for a seat on that table and to nominate them as a ‘shortlisted award-winning influencer’. If you don’t pay, you don’t get the seat and forget about the nomination. Only if you have the money to pay, you can buy yourself that title. No money, no honey! If you don’t have the money to pay, no matter how hard you worked, how much money you spent on your equipment to create good content, isn’t enough to get you that ‘award-winning blogger’ title.

I nominate myself as an award-winning blogger.

Whole Beans vs Ground Coffee read here

Xpedition Magazine

Xpedition Magazine (Philippino magazine in UAE) charged 290$ and yes people went. Because they are so desperado.

Miss Polo International charged 300$ to be part of the award as a Miss Polo International in UAE while you represent your own country. They even asked me to join. First I was asked to pay 300 Euros, I turned it down. After like a week or two they got back with a 100$ offer, which I thought you know what, why not. (At the time of being a blogger my other blogger friends suggesting to take this opportunity. Even though, I felt this was unethical and wrong.) Even though my height didn’t qualify me for it, they were ready to take me in so that they got paid. Well, that is not my problem is it?! And closer to the payment day, the payment increased to 200$. So I turned it down, not because of the amount, but because my ego couldn’t take it.

My blogger acquaintance recommended Miss Polo International, they sent me a friendly email, congratulating me. Later on, they said I have to send them photos with a crown and I needed to prepare my Sash. So I got busy with doing that. I ordered my sash, turned this offer down, and didn’t even collect my sash, which I paid for.

Xpedition Magazine

In the Xpedition magazines email, I wasn’t sure if they wanted me to pay or maybe they wanted someone I invited to pay for the seat, so to clarify I emailed back asking if they want me to pay. And they replied explaining why I had to pay for a charitable 3-course meal. This kind of 3-course meal in a decent restaurant would cost me 100$. So I don’t know how much discount did the hotel give them for such an occasion, which I am pretty sure most of it would go deep down in their pocket. So I thought okay, nope, I am not going, and ignored XPEDITION MAGAZINE and their fake Awards.

Miss Polo International

On top of the payment what Miss Polo International was charging for? For voting! 1$ each vote! I mean, I have never seen people trying to make money on votes. That’s just ridiculous.

I didn’t see anyone complain. People just let others do unethical, well, yes, because it requires time, dedication, effort, and honesty, and a sacrifice to go against it.

If they are charging me money to be something I am not (being realistic here), then I rather be not it. I am going to create my own award, and reward myself, and share it with everyone I know and love.

Paid Instagram bluetick should not be respected and it has to be regulated. One should earn it with hard work or it has to be given by nominations. There should a system in place, where PR agencies or other public industries must have news articles where they have granted particular people with blueticks. A bluetick is a resemblance of a notable public figure, celebrity, or a global brand. Unfortunately, this emblem has a hole and doesn’t mean much anymore. Since I know so many people who actually bought it, and abusing it.  That’s a shame.