Politicians and Instagram: A fair play or not?

There are more politicians on social media today than ever. But, is the popularity they have real, or is it money talking? Let’s find out how Instagram and politics go hand in hand –

Social media platforms have opened new doors full of opportunities for people from all sorts of fields, and it is no different on the political front either. Realizing how greatly social media influences voters' younger generation, disregarding a popular platform like Instagram is no longer a choice. This rising impact is so strong that social media marketing has become an integral part of a political campaign. From Barack Obama to Joe Biden, some of the most popular politicians have used it effectively to amass support from potential voters, and many are following the same way forward. Also a lot of them have purchased followers for social media handles.

The fierce competition between Donald Trump and Joe Biden during the 2020 U.S. elections is the perfect example of how entrenched social media usage has become. There are multiple ways in which politicians can use social media to there advantage; some of which include – 

Advertising:

Advertising and promoting on social media are not only constructive but also cost-effective. With a shift in how people engage in politics today, paying for ads on tv and radios or holding events is not a smart choice either way. A mere post on Instagram does it all by reminding people of speeches, debates, voting times, etc.

Direct interaction with millions:

What's better than to get in direct touch with one’s potential voters? People trust what they see, and Instagram is a great platform to showcase everything one has to offer, with Instagram likes and comments making it all even more worthwhile.

Understanding and Planning:

Instagram statistics give politicians a ton of information and analytics on how people react to their policies, if or not there is trust, and what is it that they seek in their future leader, therefore making it easy for them to lay down a perfect strategy.

Popularity:

A significant number of Instagram followers does not only mean popularity, but it also paves the way to look more credible and sincere to the masses. Hefty Instagram views mean more support boosting the range of potential voters.

Everybody:

Many voters in America who go to the polls to vote consist mostly of the older generation. Still, one does not have to miss out on the votes of gen Z. Popular platforms like Instagram ensure that everyone engages in the voting process by getting in touch with the hefty number of youngsters online.

But is the popularity real?

Though every influential person claims to have a loyal and 100% real following, it is no secret that many of them rely on methods like buying followers and views on their handles. And, it is no different for the politicians. They buy Instagram followers or any other platforms engagement in that matter, to draw attention toward them. More followers speak directly for their influence and authority, making an even more enormous impact on those who don’t already follow them.

Various sites provide services like Instagram likes, views, comments, etc., at a basic cost, mostly bot operated profiles. And even though Instagram regularly runs checks to delete such fake accounts, the process works in a loop. It does not essentially mean that every politician does it, but the scope and the damage it does cannot be disregarded.

CONCLUSION:

Choosing a politician, entrusting them with the authority and power they get is a very delicate process, as it directly affects the quality of lives of thousands of men. And, social media is indeed a powerful tool in guiding us through that decision in today’s world. All these factors make us think if choosing and judging a person merely based on their online image is right or not. Maybe, it is time we shift our perspective and look outside of the social media world.