Ever wondered where the obsession over the new Coach bag or the latest Nike shoes you can’t wait to get your hands on stems from? And why is it that only mainstream products are the catchiest? The same products, if stripped of their brand campaigns and influencer hype, would never catch your eye lying in a local market. The truth is, each and every one of our preferences is actively shaped by social media algorithms. Social media trends inevitably shape our likes and dislikes. However, it must be acknowledged that the popularity of a certain trend should never be confused with moral, ethical, or political correctness. Just because an opinion or product is mainstream does not automatically imply it is right.
The Influencer Ripple Effect
A polka-dot print that was once outdated and labelled “cringe” becomes the hottest trend of Spring 2026 overnight after a single mega-influencer endorses it. Following in their footsteps, macro- and mini-influencers begin promoting the same idea whether they personally like it or not. Driven by the desire for greater exposure and visibility, these mid-tier influencers promote content for the sake of relevance rather than expressing genuine, independent opinions. This creates another wave of exposure for the audience, leaving the average user outnumbered by voices chasing these trends. Consequently, this contributes to the peer pressure social media consumers face to like the same things that social media influencers are apparently liking and promoting.
Algorithmic Conditioning and the Fear of Being Outdated
Algorithms work by continuously pushing the same genre of content to you until your mind actually starts to acknowledge it as acceptable and familiar. You start feeling odd for not preferring the same things as others, ultimately shaping your likes and dislikes.
A person disconnected from social media and unaware of growing trends is quick to be labelled “outdated”. Your friends might unconsciously make you feel strange if you haven’t heard of a trendy song or a popular series. Similarly, topics once collectively perceived as taboo become acceptable – or even trendy – through recognition on social media.
Furthermore, social media algorithms appear to harm individual representation and identity. In a digital world where only the trendiest trends are considered acceptable, the average person hesitates to voice a unique opinion for fear of judgment. They are seemingly forced to like and comply with whatever the algorithm displays and reject whatever it leaves in the dark. They think twice before posting about something non-mainstream they enjoy because they wonder if it will come off as uncool or undesirable, worried they will be made fun of for liking something so niche.
A Shield Against Harmful Views
On the contrary, such a social media mechanism instils a justifiable fear in individuals who tend to broadcast morally unacceptable views online. For instance, someone facing the threat of being publicly labelled a paedophile would think a hundred times before voicing an offensive opinion. The fear of immediate public backlash reduces the frequency of predatory and dangerous mindsets online.
Preserving Individual Identity
Navigating this highly saturated digital landscape requires a high level of self-awareness. We must look beyond growing trends and curated algorithms, remaining self-aware enough to ask ourselves: “Do I genuinely like this, or am I just being actively exposed to the idea of liking it?” Doing so will hopefully prevent our individual taste from being consumed by temporary trends.