If you run a website or blog, you are likely bombarded with not just spam mail, but with ‘bots’ who ‘like your posts’, and people who share a post on Instagram to last for a second or two, then disappear. The ‘liked posts’ can go to fake accounts or perhaps to genuine ones.
This post is to encourage you to just ignore them all. We are here to do good. So focus on doing good, and helping others. The bots don’t care, and ‘liking a post’ does not nothing but provide ‘fake validation’. If you know your posts are good and helpful, you don’t need people to validate them. And the people doing the ‘liking’ should be focusing on helping others themselves, not just wastingtime liking your posts.
What Are Online Validation Gimmicks?
Online validation gimmicks are strategies used on platforms like Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube to inflate engagement quickly. They often swap real curiosity for forced exchange. Think of them as deals: I boost you, you boost me. The aim is not conversation or value. The aim is a number.
These tactics exist because most platforms reward visible activity. Algorithms tend to show posts that receive fast likes, comments, and saves. A sudden burst of interactions can push your post into more feeds. Users notice this and try to hack the system. A small pod of people agrees to comment on each other’s posts within minutes. The post gets an early spike, and the platform reads it as high interest.
The psychology behind it is simple. Humans want to belong. A notification feels like a pat on the back. Quick wins are tempting when growth feels slow. Gimmicks give a short hit of approval that seems to solve that itch. Over time, the hit fades and you need more of it.
Platforms profit when people stay longer, click more, and return often. Gimmicks keep users active, which feeds ad revenue. That does not mean platforms endorse them, but the structure does not discourage them either. The result is a loop where behaviour is shaped by what the system measures. If the system measures speed and volume, shortcuts will appear.
Gimmicks thrive in uncertainty. If you do not know why a post did well, you look for hacks. The safer route is to learn how these systems work, then choose not to play a hollow game.
Everyday Examples of These Tactics
- Mutual liking groups: Small pods where members like and comment on posts.
- Shoutout-for-shoutout deals: You feature me in your story, I do the same, regardless of fit.
- Follow trains: Threads where participants follow everyone on a list to grow counts.
- Comment bait: Posts that ask you to type a word or emoji to unlock content or join a draw.
- Share-gated polls: Story polls that demand a share for results to show.
A common scenario: a new creator joins a group chat that promises 100 new followers a week. It looks friendly and supportive. Soon, it becomes a chore, and the followers do not care about the content.
The Role of Social Media Algorithms
Algorithms try to predict what will keep users watching. Posts that gain quick reactions often get pushed higher because speed suggests relevance. If ten people comment within minutes, the system may test the post on a larger audience. That is why quick exchange groups exist.
Genuine growth still comes from clarity and value. When a post solves a problem, entertains, or teaches something useful, people stay longer and share it. Platforms rarely punish gimmicks outright, but they also do not build trust or long-term reach. Visibility tends to follow user behaviour over time, not one-off spikes.
Ignore the lure of fast boosts. Aim for content that earns saves, repeat views, and direct messages. Those signals are harder to fake and more likely to last.
How Chasing Likes Harms Mental Health
Constant comparison drains joy. When numbers dip, you can feel smaller, even if nothing about your work changed. The hunt for approval can turn a hobby into unpaid labour. You spend hours replying, liking, and posting on a schedule that suits others, not you.
Forced engagement also flattens your voice. You start posting what you think will get quick taps, not what you stand for. That shift confuses your audience and dulls your message. People sense when content serves a scoreboard rather than a story. Real followers want clarity and honesty.
Studies on social media show links between heavy use and higher stress, lower self-esteem, and sleep issues. You do not need data to know the feeling. The more attention you place on metrics, the less you enjoy the moment. Numbers can inform, but they should not rule.
There are benefits to stepping back. Ignoring gimmicks gives you time for better work and better rest. It invites a slower, steadier rise built on skill and care. You start to trust your voice again. Confidence grows from effort and progress, not from a spike at 6 p.m. on a Tuesday.
The Toll on Your Well-Being
Low engagement days can trigger anxiety. You check your phone, again and again, and still feel behind. Notifications become a loop that is hard to break. You post more often, hoping to fill the gap, and feel worse when it does not work.
Validation seeking can blur the line between fun and fulfilment. If likes drop, your mood drops. That is a warning sign. Early signs include checking apps right after waking, deleting posts that do not perform within an hour, and losing sleep to keep up with pods. Notice the pattern and choose a kinder pace.
Losing Sight of Authentic Connections
Gimmicks pull in people who are there for a trade, not for you. They tap once and move on. The surface looks busy, but depth is missing. Comments sound the same. Shares come with no context.
This push for quantity shifts your focus away from craft. You post more, care less, and your unique tone fades. Trust erodes when your feed feels like a pitch. You can rebuild by being honest about what you value and who you serve. Share work that aligns with your voice. People respond to clarity.
Ignore Validation, Live Your Life!
Start with a clean audit. Review who you follow and why. Leave pods and chains that demand actions. Mute or unfollow accounts that push you into trades. Set app limits that protect your attention. A few minutes saved each day adds up fast.
Shift your measure of success. Track inputs you control, like time spent writing, images produced, or topics explored. Look at meaningful outputs, like saves, replies, or email sign-ups. These signals reflect interest, not social debt. Celebrate progress that ties to your goals, not to a leaderboard.
Create for personal satisfaction. Choose topics you care about and formats that suit your strengths. Post on a schedule that fits your life, not a trend calendar. Engage with communities that share your interests, like niche forums or local groups. Conversation beats exchange.
Turn off non-essential notifications. Batch your replies. Join communities that ban engagement swaps and promote feedback instead. Over time, you will see steadier growth. It may be slower at first, but it lasts because it is tied to value. This approach builds confidence, reduces stress, and protects your time.
Build Habits That Focus on Real Value
Plan your posts around ideas, not hype. Keep a simple journal where you note what you made, what you learned, and what felt good. Review it weekly. Try new formats when you feel curious, then reflect on what worked. If online pressure rises, take a short offline break. Meet a friend, read a book, or go for a walk. Let your mind reset before you return.
Finding Support Beyond Social Media
Seek validation in places that care about you, not your metrics. Talk to friends who enjoy your work. Join a club, class, or professional network where feedback is honest and kind. Use privacy settings to filter your feed and quiet noise that triggers comparison. Look for communities that value substance and proper critique.
Growth that matters takes time. Patience is part of the process. Each honest post teaches you something. As your mental health improves, your work improves too. That is the trade worth making.
