How Far Is “Influencers Gone Wild” Doing More Harm Than Good
Hey everyone — I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the “Influencers Gone Wild” phenomenon (like what’s described on Influencers Gone Wild).
Influencers seem to be pushing increasingly extreme “wild” or unfiltered behavior just to stay relevant, go viral, or shock their audience. Some of these tactics are very calculated — not just for authenticity, but for attention, clicks, or brand deals.
At the same time, it’s not just about them — there are real ethical, mental health, and societal costs. For example:
Reckless stunts or dangerous challenges.
Scams, fake endorsements, or misleading charity campaigns.
Emotional burnout, parasocial relationships, and the psychological pressure to always “perform.”
So here’s what I really want to ask:
Do you think the “gone wild” strategy is becoming a dominant — or even necessary — part of influencer culture?
Is this trend sustainable in the long term, or will influencers (and their audiences) face a reckoning?
What responsibility do platforms, brands, and followers have in holding these influencers accountable?
Have you personally seen an influencer go too far — and how did it affect your perception of them (or the wider influencer space)?
Also, I came across this interesting take through Just Ask Genie: https://www.justaskgenie.co.uk/ — their insights made me wonder whether influencers are actually being manipulated by the same feedback loop they‘re exploiting.
For more depth, check out Influencers Gone Wild’s own analysis here: https://www.influencersgonewildco.uk/ — they go into the risks, psychology, and real-world consequences.
What do you all think? Is “going wild” just part of the game now — or something we should actively push back against?