ICYMI An Influencer Hates To See This Subreddit Coming
Jan 4, 2025
Jess Maddox, a journalism professor and author, and Jess Rauchberg, an expert in digital media, dive into the r/NYCInfluencerSnark subreddit phenomenon. They uncover how influencer snark pages emerged amid a boom in influencer marketing and sparked a backlash from followers. The discussion highlights the dual impact of snark—balancing accountability with societal views on body image. They also explore the connections between snark culture and feminist media scholarship, reflecting on the complexities of online critique and its implications for the future of influencer dynamics.
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Snark Origins
- Jess Maddox first encountered influencer snark through Tumblr and the blogsnark subreddit.
- Roushberg's interest piqued with the London and Olivia drama, highlighting intersecting social issues.
Pandemic's Impact on Snark
- The rise of influencer snark pages coincided with the pandemic and TikTok's growth.
- These pages replaced gossip blogs due to better design and functionality.
Democratization of Content and Snark
- TikTok democratized content creation, leading to increased scrutiny of influencers.
- The pandemic highlighted the frivolousness of some influencer content, fueling de-influencing and snark.