When Social Media Was Social, and Not Just Ads and People Acting Like Walking Talking Ads: A RANT

begin … rant
target _ social/media

I’ve had this blog for five months now, and it’s been a challenge finding real people who also have blogs. For starters, there is lots of AI generated stuff.

And yes, I realize my blog theme is one giant AI generated theme :-] I assure you, the ONLY AI-generated content here is my images, because I’m choosing to blog anonymously for a time.

But, what I mean isn’t just a WordPress AI problem. It’s greater than that. It’s that social media has become ad media.

Social media didn’t use to be this way.

💎

I used to make friends online. Actual, real, let’s trade phone numbers friends.

Depending on the hobby we all shared, I used to be in various forums/websites/apps and I’d find another woman my age, just as passionate about the hobby, and we would hit it off.

But now? I’ve tried commenting on someone else’s comment, just something friendly, and I’m met with, “WTF why are you talking to me? Who are you, you creep!?”

The worst? When a blog post has a question at the end of the post for readers to answer… and the author acts like it’s a problem when you answer their prompt on their comments!! 🙄 Do they forget that they asked a question to their readers??

So I stopped commenting for the most part.

I figured I’d just find someone, like on Instagram, who was open to being social ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

Well, good luck trying to get the algorithm to show you anything other than ads and influencers (aka walking talking ads that call you “Bestie”).

💎

Well, I’m sure it’s not 100% misery out there, but it’s certainly very hard to find real people who actually want to be social online. It used to be so easy. Well, people were also less divided back then, but that’s a separate can of worms.

I just miss the people who shared their everyday lives for fun. People who invited you to take a peek at their hobbies, and they didn’t care if you bought something from them or not.

People who met you eye-to-eye, and not looking down on you from the pedestal of influence.

I knew it was getting back when one of our friends “became” a brand. She was no longer Becky (name changed for privacy). She was now Becky™ and she un-followed everyone. She was posting about her life as usual, but now she was important and a celebrity. She couldn’t be bothered with the likes of us peasants!

Sigh. I miss when social media was social, and it wasn’t just one big ad.

Where have all the real people gone?

Take care,
Dear Quiet

signal/log: 2.5.2026
emotion: disappointed
trigger = nobody’s.real 

PS:

Instagram is suggesting the following people to me:
Kim Kardashian, Don Lemon, Mr. Beast.
Mmm, think they’ll be my friends? 🙄 Ugh.


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9 responses to “When Social Media Was Social, and Not Just Ads and People Acting Like Walking Talking Ads: A RANT”

  1. Lilyotron Avatar

    Hi Dear Quiet,

    I feel you! I used to get more comments on my blog (not a lot but still). I love it when people comment because it feels like I’m not just posting into the void. That’s what social media feels like. I do it anyways because you never know. My blog is the only place I feel like I can be me and there’s not pressure to make it something it’s not. Thanks for commenting and sharing your thoughts!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Dear Quiet Avatar

      I love to get comments too, even if it’s just someone disagreeing with me! Engagement is such a cool part of blogging. “Posting into the void” is exactly what it feels like, and no wonder people have come up with the “dead internet theory” (which I think is more factual than just a theory tbh!). Thanks for the comment and follow! I’m so happy to have found another human, real blog 😊

      Liked by 2 people

  2. lodestarwytch Avatar

    So much of social media is complete & total BS! I have been lucky that on WordPress I have found some genuine people that I follow and comment to regularly. My blog isn’t always everyones cup of tea (Poems/Art/Spirituality/etc) but you are always welcome in my corner of the world wide web 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Dear Quiet Avatar

      I feel that way too. And thank you! Yes, I’ve been following your blog for some time and I need to comment more 😊

      Liked by 2 people

  3. rob Avatar

    Hi, there. Fellow real person who just came back to WordPress seeking a quiet place to share her life, thoughts, and hobbies here. 👋🏾

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Dear Quiet Avatar

      So glad to have a real person blogging! Welcome, and I wish you the best on your blogging journey 😊 I hope my post doesn’t deter you from writing, haha There ARE real people on WordPress, just a bit harder to find than a few years ago.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. rob Avatar

        You didn’t deter me at all–quite the opposite! It’s nice to see people looking to follow other real people. Lol

        Liked by 2 people

  4. MariWrites Avatar

    I’ve noticed the same. I just started my blog, and I’m very much hoping to find some real people blogging as well. Not just influencers or bots. I’ll check out the writing community on WordPress and I guess we’ll see!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Dear Quiet Avatar

      It truly is a great community. For me, just not as easy to find those down to earth blogs I used to love so much. But they’re here! Don’t let my post discourage you 💎🙌

      Liked by 2 people