Break the Internet: The Truth about Influencers

Old media is over. The internet reigns. And in today's attention economy, influencers are kings. But who are they... and how do you become one? "Break the Internet" takes a deep dive into the influencer industry, tracing its evolution from blogging and legacy social media such as Tumblr to today's world in which YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok dominate. Examining the new media landscape that the rise of online celebrity has created, it is an insider account of a trend which is set to dominate our future -- the economy of influence will be valued at 15 billion dollars globally in 2022. Olivia Yallop enrols in an influencer bootcamp, goes undercover at fan meetups, and shadows online celebrities to understand how digital personas are built, uncovering what it is really like to live a branded life and trade in a "social stock market". From mumfluencers and activists to governments and investors, everyone wants to build their online influence. But how do you stay authentic in a system designed to commodify identity?