A Recent Flurry of Platform Changes Endangers Power Users
For years, power users on platforms ranging from Youtube stars to Pinterest affiliate link drivers have been able to make a living excelling within the ecosystem for brands. In a relatively short amount of time, social platforms have either outright banned or limited the influence of these users and affiliate companies built around influencers. These include Pinterest’s banning of affiliate link earners, and Youtube’s restriction on star accounts interactions with brands.
Why This Matters: Platforms are undergoing a fundamental shift in ideology. Where before companies like Youtube, Pinterest, and Twitter invited users to join and flourish at will to build relevance, now they’re cracking down on users that jeopardize their bottom lines and facilitate their own brand and advertising transactions. The change will be felt by brands, advertisers, and users.
