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Be a Smart Scroller

Find out how YouTubers and TikTokers can affect how you think and what you buy.

March 30, 2026
By Ellen Song

As You Read, Think About: What makes many influencers seem trustworthy?

Courtesy of family

Delilah Hoey

Delilah Hoey was in fourth grade when some TikTok shorts showed up on her YouTube feed. The teens in the videos were showing off skin care products in colorful bottles. 

“It looked like fun,” says the 12-year-old from New Jersey. 

Delilah had never used those kinds of skin care products, but she decided to give them a try. Her face soon broke out in a painful rash. None of the influencers had mentioned that the products might not be safe for all skin types. It took almost a week for Delilah’s skin to heal.

Her experience isn’t unusual. Influencers can be very persuasive, affecting what you think, like, or buy. In fact, about 74 percent of Americans say they trust influencers. That’s according to a 2025 survey by Better Business Bureau National Programs. But experts say you should think twice about trusting social media stars.

“Social media is kind of a Wild West, and there’s so much on there that’s not reliable,” says Hannah Covington. She’s a media expert at the News Literacy Project. 

Here’s what you need to know so you can make smart decisions about whom you allow to influence you. 

How Do Influencers Make Money?
Watch a video to learn about influencer careers.

A Bad Influence?

Influencers post almost anything you can imagine: health advice, gaming tips, their favorite recipes, and more. Some influencers, like MrBeast, are world-famous. He has more than 465 million subscribers on YouTube alone. Others have much smaller audiences. But one thing they all have in common is the ability to affect your beliefs and actions. 

What makes social media stars so powerful? Most of them try to make their content feel personal and authentic. They often film from their bedrooms or kitchens. They also stand close to the camera to make it seem like they’re talking directly to you—like a friend on FaceTime. They may speak so confidently that they sound like experts, but that doesn’t mean they’re credible. 

“You can be an influencer and an expert,” Covington says. “But not all influencers are experts in the topics they’re discussing.”

Covington explains that it’s important to research what you see in a social media post. For instance, an influencer might tell you what vitamins to take. Before taking their advice, check to see if it’s backed by experts and ask your own doctor. 

“It’s up to us to fact-check,” Covington says. “Be really skeptical of people promising quick fixes or people promising miracle cures.”

Cashing In

Another way to stay safe is to ask yourself why someone is posting content. 

“Are they sharing it because there’s something in it for them?” Covington asks. 

In many cases, what’s in it for them is money. The more views, likes, comments, and followers influencers get, the more money they can earn. Some YouTubers get paid each time you watch the ads that play before and during their videos. And if someone is praising a product, there’s a good chance a company paid them to.

Delilah learned that she needs to be cautious before adding an item to her cart. 

“If something interests me, I will research it more,” she says.

Too Good to Be True?

Here are some tips to help you figure out what you can trust on social media. 

1. Spot the ads. The words “paid promotion” mean the influencer’s getting paid to post about this product. So do hashtags like #BrandPartner, #Sponsored, #Ad, or #Partnership. 

2. Trust your gut. If any claims sound unusual or too good to be true, they probably are. 

3. Do some research. Don’t assume that an influencer is an expert, especially if they’re promoting a product.

4. Read the comments. Other people may have already pointed out questionable claims. 

5. Ignore the post’s reach. Getting a lot of likes and shares doesn’t always mean the influencer is trustworthy.

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1. Based on the article, what makes social media influencers so powerful?

2. What does the author mean by the phrase “cashing in”? What are some ways that influencers cash in?

3. Based on the sidebar, “Too Good to Be True?,” what is a social media post’s reach? What clues in the text help you know?

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