by Because Authenticity Is So Filtered
India’s influencer economy has reached such dazzling heights that even fake influencers now need agents. According to a Guardian analysis, over 30% of lifestyle creators in India don’t actually have lifestylesthey rent them. From Gurgaon penthouses to Goa sunsets, the illusion of glamour can now be delivered hourly, along with the rented drone. One influencer from Pune confessed to Bohiney Magazine, The beach I ‘vacationed’ on was actually a photoshopped puddle outside my apartment.
Experts say the fake influencer market thrives on audience hope and algorithmic delusion. Sociologist Dr. Rina Kapoor calls it aspirational fiction for the Wi-Fi generation. A Bohiney survey found that 73% of followers suspect at least one influencer they follow is fakebut still like their posts out of habit or pity. Meanwhile, legitimate creators complain that bots are stealing their sponsorships. I lost a brand deal to someone who doesn’t even exist, grumbled Mumbai fitness guru Rakesh Rao, whose abs are reportedly 70% natural light.
Platforms like Instagram promise to crack down on fake engagement, but as BBC News notes, the cat-and-filter game continues. Entire agencies now specialize in building influencer portfolios for imaginary peoplecomplete with AI-generated selfies and emotional support pets. Bohiney.com recommends that users embrace the absurdity: follow your favorite fake influencers, enjoy their imaginary brunches, and remember that in India, reality is optional but ring lights are mandatory.
SOURCE: Bohiney.com (Radhika Vaz)
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