The Good, The Bad, & The Fake: Influencers Educating & Misleading Audiences

Remember when the coolest person in your life was just a friend? Now, they’re probably one of the social media influencers you follow, right? Influencer marketing has exploded, making these digital personalities central to how we learn about everything from skincare to current events. They offer a level of online influence and relatability that traditional advertising just can’t touch. They teach us new things, start exciting influencer trends, and can genuinely educate their audience—but here’s the rub: not all of them are playing fair.

The Double-Edged Sword of Online Influence

Many legitimate social media influencers strive for influencer authenticity and use their platform responsibly. They champion products they genuinely love, and their advice feels like it’s coming from a friend. This honest approach is why influencer transparency matters in 2025. When they clearly mark a paid post, it builds trust. This ethical approach is key to the future of influencer marketing and addressing the ethical issues in influencer marketing.

However, the dark side is real. The pressure for engagement and brand deals has created a breeding ground for dishonesty. We’re seeing a rise of fake influencers—people with bought followers or engagement—who muddy the waters of genuine online influence. These fake influencer marketing practices deceive brands and, ultimately, you, the follower.

When Education Turns to Deception

The biggest issue lies in misleading influencers and the content they share. It’s tough to discern the truth about influencer endorsements. Are they promoting that supplement because it genuinely changed their life, or because they’re involved in misleading sponsored content by influencers? The line is often blurred.

This is how influencers mislead their audience: sometimes, it’s subtle, like using filters to create an unrealistic body image, which is a form of how influencers manipulate social media. Other times, it’s overt, like promoting outright influencer scams. We’ve all seen posts that make us ask: are influencers misleading their followers? The answer, unfortunately, is yes, too often. This erosion of trust is the core of the impact of misleading influencers on brand trust.

The Call for Influencer Ethics and Transparency

The solution isn’t to stop listening but to start questioning. We need to demand greater influencer transparency and reinforce influencer ethics. When an influencer posts, you should know exactly how influencers create false authenticity online. If we, the audience, hold them accountable, the community can weed out the misleading influencers and focus on those who use their online influence for good.

Ultimately, influencer marketing can be a force for education and positive influencer trends. But for it to thrive, the community—from the social media influencers to the followers—must prioritise influencer authenticity, reject fake influencer marketing practices, and confront those who engage in influencer scams.