Fake It Till You Make It — Literally
Many influencers begin with limited resources. To grow their audience, they rely heavily on borrowed, staged, or fabricated scenes. Some of the most common tactics include:
1. “Fake It for the ‘Gram” Hotel Stays
Influencers will approach high-end resorts offering “exposure” in exchange for free stays. When denied, some have gone so far as to:
- Book the cheapest room, but shoot content in the most expensive suite.
- Sneak into hotel lobbies and amenities just for photos.
- Even use stock photos passed off as their own experiences.
2. Editing Magic and Photoshop Fakery
Apps like Facetune, Lightroom, and Photoshop are used not just to perfect faces, but entire landscapes. Influencers will:
- Edit out crowds to appear “exclusive.”
- Add in fake sunsets or waterfalls.
- Even superimpose themselves onto backgrounds they never visited.
One infamous case involved an influencer “visiting” Bali—but savvy followers later discovered it was a green-screened setup in their apartment.
3. Rented Cars, Jets, and Fashion
What looks like a spontaneous snap beside a Rolls Royce in Dubai is often a paid-for 30-minute shoot. There are agencies that rent out:
- Private jets on runways (they don’t even take off).
- Designer outfits and accessories.
- Luxury cars, with a driver standing just out of frame.
