Why do some influencers back bad products?
Top Instagram influencers appear to be promoting products that are fake and poor quality - but do they know they’re doing it? Or have they fallen prey to unscrupulous companies?
If you're on Instagram, you'll have seen influencers promoting all sorts of products - from gadgets to clothes or food. But can you really trust their recommendations?
A BBC investigation found a number of top influencers pushing products that are fake and poor quality.
There’s no evidence to suggest these social media stars knew they were openly promoting questionable brands and companies. And yet, many customers say the only reason why they bought these products was because influencers suggested they ought to.
So should social media stars be held accountable for the promotional deals they make? We explore the dark underbelly of influencer marketing.
Presenter: Marco Silva
Reporter: Omar Mehtab
Additional production: Osman Iqbal
Picture caption: Stock photo of a social media influencer filming herself.
Picture credit: Getty Images
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- Sat 1 Aug 2020 04:32GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & South Asia
- Sat 1 Aug 2020 17:32GMTBBC World Service News Internet
- Sat 1 Aug 2020 19:32GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
- Sun 2 Aug 2020 01:32GMTBBC World Service
- Sun 2 Aug 2020 21:32GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Mon 3 Aug 2020 09:32GMTBBC World Service
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