It hits the earnings people on social media make through promoting brands, ad partners, and more
Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are increasingly turning everyday posts into shopping catalogs without user consent.
Instagram influencer Julia Berolzheimer recently discovered that the app had embedded “Shop the look” buttons on her content, steering her million-plus followers toward cheap knockoffs and unvetted brands.
Not just Instagram
TikTok has been testing a “Find similar” AI feature that scans videos and recommends products from TikTok Shop.
Meta clarified that it doesn’t earn money from these recommendations and described its Instagram feature as a “limited test” designed to help users explore their interests.
For many influencers, this directly affects earnings generated through brand promotions, ad partnerships, and affiliate links. Although users can opt out of these features, doing so requires navigating several steps in the settings.
Disturbingly, The Verge notes that such shopping features appear on pages reporting on the Gaza war, as well as on other non-influencer accounts.
Overall, critics say social media apps are increasingly turning users into influencers without any incentives or consent.