Are your social media comments real—or just smoke and mirrors?

In this eye-opening episode of Everyone’s a Bot, host Chris Smith pulls back the curtain on the dark world of fake engagement, revealing how bot accounts, engagement pods, and like farms create the illusion of popularity on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

We dive into:

• What fake comments actually look like (and how to spot them)

• How social proof tricks your brain into believing the hype

• Why real creators are struggling to compete in a system that rewards fake likes and paid comments

• The rise of “hype ghosts”—bot-like users designed to boost clout without substance

Whether you’re a content creator, marketer, or just tired of getting duped by fire emojis, this episode breaks down how fake social media engagement is shaping the internet—and how not to fall for it.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Intro: “You knew it wasn’t real… but you bought it anyway.”

• 00:24 – Welcome to the comment section: a messy, suspicious lovefest

• 01:07 – Fake engagement explained: bots, like farms, and paid comment cults

• 02:02 – Why fake engagement works: social proof and the illusion of virality

• 03:01 – Spotting fake comments: patterns, weird compliments, and red flags

• 03:52 – The pressure on real creators: fakery vs. authenticity in the algorithm

• • 04:48 – Final thoughts: fake comments, real feelings—and why it matters

  
  

  #PodcastEpisode #PodcastMarketing #PodcastDiscovery #TrueDigitalStories #PodcastLife #FakeEngagement #SocialMediaBots #BotComments #FakeFollowers #EngagementPods #SocialMediaIllusion #InstagramReality #TikTokTruth #OnlineClout #SocialProof #DigitalDeception #AuthenticContent #InfluencerMarketing #ViralMyth #CloutChasing #ContentCreators #DigitalMarketingTips #SocialMediaStrategy #BuildRealAudience #GrowthHacks

Ever double-tap a flawless selfie only to realize… the person isn’t real? Yeah, same. In this episode of Everyone’s a Bot, we’re diving headfirst into the wild world of AI influencers—perfectly filtered, never-sleeping, algorithm-approved digital avatars taking over your feed.

Host Chris Smith pulls back the pixelated curtain on virtual stars like Lil Miquela, a CGI it-girl with 2M followers, brand deals, music drops, and even her own scandalous story arcs (spoiler: she got “hacked” by another bot). 🤖

But here’s the twist: these synthetic stunners might actually be better at being influencers than us real humans. No bad days. No awkward lives. No crying-in-your-car moments. Just flawless vibes—rendered in Blender and served straight to your FYP.

We ask the big questions:

• Does authenticity still matter if no one’s real?

• Why do brands (and followers) prefer bots?

• And what happens to us when fake becomes the norm?

So if you’ve ever felt lowkey terrible comparing yourself to a perfect feed… only to find out it was built by a marketing team and a GPU—this one’s for you.

🎙️ Welcome to the age of synthetic fame. Let’s talk about why fake people are absolutely crushing it online.

⏱️ Timestamps

• 00:00 – 🎙️ Cold open: “You knew it wasn’t real, but you bought it anyway.”

• 00:25 – Would you still follow your favorite influencer if they weren’t real?

• 01:19 – What AI influencers actually are: code, visuals, and branding.

• 01:50 – 👾 Meet Lil Miquela: The stylish, freckled, CGI queen with 2M+ fans.

• 02:20 – Scripted drama and AI lore: “I was hacked by another AI.”

• 03:00 – Why synthetic influencers outperform real ones: no cringe, no chaos.

• 03:14 – 🤖 If it feels real, that’s enough: authenticity in the age of bots.

• 04:06 – The comparison trap: real people vs. flawless digital avatars.

• • 04:46 – 🔚 Outro: “Don’t trust the comments.”

  
  

  #AIInfluencers #VirtualInfluencers #DigitalAvatars #SyntheticFame #LilMiquela #FakePeopleOnline #SocialMediaBots #CGIInfluencers #VirtualCelebrities #MetaverseMarketing #AIContentCreators #InfluencerMarketing #InstagramBots #DigitalIdentity #FakeItTillYouMakeIt #BlenderModels #AlgorithmCulture #FutureOfInfluence #AuthenticityCrisis #SocialMediaTrends #UncannyValley #CGIFashion #AIvsHuman #EveryoneIsABot #DigitalPerfection

You knew it wasn’t real—but you looked anyway. 👀

In this debut episode of Everyone’s A Bot: A Social Media Story, host Chris Smith dives headfirst into the DM that started it all. You know the one: “Hey cutie.” Zero posts. Maximum thirst. Somehow... you still felt something. Why?

We explore the weird psychology behind bot accounts that flirt, follow first, and trigger real emotions. From the dopamine rush of fake compliments to the eerie comfort of algorithmic attention, this episode unpacks why even the smartest of us get caught looking.

🤖 They're not catfishing for cash (yet). They’re farming your clicks, and your brain loves it.

If you've ever replied just to see what happens—or wondered why a digital ghost made you feel kinda special—this one’s for you.

🔍 You’ll Learn:

• Why bots act more human than your ex

• How flirty DMs hack your brain’s reward system

• The fine line between fake validation and real emotion

  
  

  Timestamps

  00:00 – Intro: “You liked my post. I followed you first.”

  00:23 – That suspicious DM: Flirty bots and algorithmic blessings

  01:09 – “What if she’s real?”: The fantasy behind fake profiles

  01:52 – Bots aren’t scamming—yet. They’re farming your attention

  02:40 – You replied for fun, but ended up 30 mins deep

  03:22 – If it feels good, does it matter if it’s fake?

  03:57 – Wrap-up: Trust is low, engagement is high + Next episode teaser

  #SocialMediaBots #DigitalDeception #FakeProfiles #OnlineTrust #BotAccounts

  #AIInfluencers #AlgorithmHacks #CatfishCulture #DMScams #EmotionalAI

  #HumanVsBot #AIConversations #DopamineRush #FakeValidation #TechAndPsychology

  #OnlineFlirting #BotSeduction #EveryoneIsABot #AIOnSocialMedia #DigitalManipulation

  #SocialMediaPsychology #FlirtyBots #ScrollCulture #InfluencerAI #RealOrBot