Low follower counts are the new flex for Gen Z. With bots outnumbering real users on socials, AI making content manipulation easy, and algorithms favoring engagement hacks over authenticity, follower counts have become unreliable signals of relevance to young people. Gen Z grew up watching influencer culture make everyone look at their feeds as a personal brand, so keeping a low profile reads as intentional resistance. Creators are also utilizing tactics to carry small fanbases across platforms by using email lists (just as we predicted!) and RSVP links to build portable communities off socials. Now, many see curated accounts with under 5K followers as proof of someone who “socializes in the real world more” and is something to be admired. Their desire for real replies and IRL interactions has made Close Friends lists, private Instagram accounts, and smaller group chats an ideal. (The New Yorker)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Gen Z Says Social Media Is the Biggest Problem They Face
