@Youdidnoteatthat calls out Instagram fakers
PHOTOS of cupcakes next to nail polish and Kim Kardashian carrying an ice-cream as if it’s a clutch bag are all over Instagram but one account is calling them out for being “contrived”.
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PHOTOS of cupcakes next to nail polish and Kim Kardashian carrying an ice-cream as if it’s a clutch bag are all over Instagram but one account is calling them out for being “contrived”.
@youdidnoteatthat has attracted more than 37,000 followers on Instagram since it launched more than a month ago.
You Did Not Eat That has so far featured photos of The Hills’ Audrina Patridge with a burger near her mouth while holding a bucket of fries, blogger Collage Vintage posing with two doughnuts covering her eyes like sunglasses and an epidemic of model-types supposedly “eating” mini-Magnums.
The Instagram feed - run by an anonymous operator who works in fashion and media - included a checklist of Instagram cliches on one post: “Uneaten ice cream cone: check. Stack of designer bracelets: check. Successful Instagram post: check”.
The bio says: “Speaking the truth in this mixed up world of too many macarons and ice cream cones. Because really…#youdidnoteatthat”.
It seems food - specifically, sweets - are becoming fashion accessories.
So what has prompted the rise of the faux eating shot on social media?
Speaking to New York magazine this week, the anonymous user @youdidnoteatthat said she noticed “formulaic” posts emerging about eating on Instagram.
“A month ago I saw dozens of bloggers swarming a dessert table, taking pictures and spending five minutes merchandising the sunglasses next to the macaroons,” @youdidnoteatthat told nymag.com.
“Then they walked away and nothing was eaten. It was so contrived.
“I understand why they’re doing it, because it works. They’re getting thousands of likes, but we’re not buying it.”
Online consumer psychologist Brent Coker from Melbourne University said Instagram users were savvy enough to know when a post was staged.
“Consumers are becoming more jaded and aware about the sorts of marketing techniques being used,” Coker said.
“There’s a novelty factor and eventually the effectiveness wears off.”
And for bloggers and celebs who incorporate food into Instagram posts about fashion and beauty, Coker said they to be authentic in order to be credible.
“Brands are aware that Instagram has enormous potential for them so they do use it but people will eventually get tired of it.”
Originally published as @Youdidnoteatthat calls out Instagram fakers
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