An Instagram influencer managed to fake being on vacation enough to convince followers it was real, even though the photos were taken in a local IKEA store. The stunt was not designed to pretend the influencer was living a more exuberant lifestyle than in reality, but to highlight how easy it is to fake it, and how social media users should not automatically believe everything they see online.

Social media has started to develop a reputation for fake news, and to the point where those in charge have introduced features and protections to help limit the impact of fake or misleading content. This is particularly true in instances where the false information could have a real knock-on effect for people, such as in politics. However, this latest fake Instagram content was not designed to mislead more than it needed to, or to convince anyone of anything, or to buy something. Instead, the fake content was created to further inform on how misleading these platforms can be, and even at the individual creator level.

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Instagram user, Natalia Taylor, recently uploaded the fake pics to Instagram before releasing a YouTube video explaining how easy it was to fake a vacation at IKEA. The video goes into detail on the scam, including how it was all set up and how it unfolded. While the objective here was to fake the vacation, Taylor specifically opted to leave some clues (including IKEA tags) in some of the shots as “Easter eggs.” Combining the Instagram photos, with images taken from the internet and friends, Taylor explains the fake vacation worked and convinced followers the IKEA shots had been taken in Bali, Indonesia.

Fun Instagram Scam That Highlights Deeper Issues

The suggestion that Instagram and other social media services are prone to fake content is nothing new. However, one of the interesting points in the video is Taylor explaining the relationship between creator and community by stating that as the followers were not expecting to be lied to, it was even easier for the scam to work. This is a prime example of how fundamental the influence can be on social media with many users simply taken for granted that everything being shown or told is the truth - without any prior reason to doubt the authenticity. This has become such an issue in recent times that the Federal Trade Commission saw the need to intervene with new rules and regulations regarding how sponsored and paid advertisements need to be more clearly disclosed. A move aiming to ensure followers don't assume an influencer is personally endorsing a brand or product, instead of professionally.

On a more general note, and while not necessarily intentional, this has proved to be quite an effective marketing exercise and advertisement for IKEA. The store made famous for its ready-to-assemble furniture is now evidently a great place to shop for anyone who wants their home to look more like an Indonesian getaway. Alternatively, just a really good place to take plenty of Instagram-grade photos and help boost followers.

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Source: Natalia Taylor/YouTube