The Myth of Social Media

Why We Need to Talk About This

In today’s world, it feels impossible to escape social media. Whether it’s Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, or YouTube, these platforms dominate conversations around success, influence, and even identity. People scroll endlessly, tapping like, leaving comments, and sharing posts — and in doing so, many of us have come to believe that this digital applause is the measure of a person’s worth or achievement.

But let’s ask ourselves honestly: is it really true? Does the number of likes on a picture, the followers on a profile, or the comments under a post actually define success? Or have we all been tricked by a carefully constructed illusion — one that feeds on vanity metrics, quick dopamine hits, and the shallow validation of strangers?

The truth is, success has never been defined by likes. Success is defined by impact, consistency, and real-world recognition. Social media may amplify your voice, but it does not replace the blood, sweat, and patience required to build something lasting.

I once knew a girl who posted photos daily. On average, she’d get over 200 likes per picture. But one day, she posted something that only got 30 likes. She was devastated. She genuinely felt like she had failed, like her worth had dropped overnight, simply because fewer people pressed a heart button on a screen. That moment revealed just how deeply social media has rewired our minds.

We now live in a world where online presence feels more important than real-world substance. But here’s the harsh reality: social media likes are not business revenue. Comments are not contracts. Shares are not legacies.

This post will take a deep dive into the myth of social media: why so many people believe likes equal success, why that belief is dangerous, and what actually drives long-term achievement in life and business.

The Digital Mirage: The Psychology of Likes

At its core, social media is engineered to manipulate human psychology. Every platform is built to keep you scrolling, posting, and comparing. The like button isn’t just a feature; it’s a tool of control.

The Dopamine Hit: Each notification delivers a tiny reward to your brain. This chemical rush makes you crave more, so you keep coming back.
The Comparison Trap: Seeing others get more likes, followers, or shares makes you feel inadequate. It creates pressure to “perform” online, even if it means sacrificing authenticity.
The False Status Symbol: Likes trick us into believing they equal influence, popularity, or success. But in truth, they’re just numbers on a screen — and often inflated by bots or vanity engagement.

This is the digital mirage: the illusion that online validation equals real success. You can have thousands of likes and yet struggle to pay rent. You can have hundreds of thousands of followers and still not make a genuine difference in anyone’s life.

The Trap of Vanity Metrics

Vanity metrics are the numbers that look good but don’t mean much. They make you feel successful but don’t actually drive success.

Examples include:

Number of likes on a post.
Number of followers on Instagram or Twitter.
Number of views on a TikTok.
Number of shares without context.

Now compare them to meaningful metrics:

Website traffic.
Email subscribers.
Repeat customers.
Sales and revenue.
Testimonials and case studies.
Referrals and recommendations.

Here’s the critical question:

👉 Which is better?

300 likes per photo but only 10 website views.
5 likes but 500 website views in one day.

The second option is infinitely more powerful. Why? Because website views can lead to sales, subscribers, clients, and partnerships. Likes? They fade into nothing within hours.

The Comparison Epidemic

We’ve all done it: scrolled through someone else’s feed and felt like we’re behind. They’re traveling the world, driving the car we want, living in the house we dream of. Their posts get hundreds or thousands of likes.

What we don’t see is the truth behind the photos:

That “luxury” holiday might be on credit card debt.
That “perfect” relationship might be breaking down behind closed doors.
That influencer with 100k followers might be broke, struggling to monetize.

Social media highlights curated moments, not the reality. It’s like watching a movie trailer and assuming it’s the full story.

The epidemic of comparison leads to:

Anxiety.
Imposter syndrome.
Low self-esteem.
Distraction from your actual goals.

Success requires focus on your lane, not their lane.

Engagement That Matters

The real value of social media isn’t in how many people see your post — it’s in how many people take action from it.

Consider two scenarios:

Someone likes your post and scrolls past.
Someone clicks your post, visits your site, subscribes to your newsletter, and buys your product.

Which one builds your future?

Engagement that matters looks like this:

Conversations in DMs that lead to collaborations.
Website visits that turn into purchases.
Comments that ask genuine questions about your service.
Loyal customers who share your work without being asked.

Likes do not pay bills. True engagement and action do.

The Algorithm Problem

When you build your success solely on social media, you’re building on rented land. The rules aren’t yours — they belong to the platform.

Here’s what can happen:

An algorithm update drops your reach overnight.
Your account gets shadowbanned without explanation.
Your profile is hacked or deleted.
The platform declines in popularity (remember MySpace? Vine?).

If your entire business relies on Instagram or TikTok, what happens when those platforms die or push your content out of sight?

Social media is a tool, not a foundation.

Success Is Earned, Not Liked

The entrepreneurs who thrive are those who combine:

Hard work.
Dedication.
Patience.
Strategy.

Likes cannot replace discipline. Followers cannot replace years of persistence.

Think about it:

Do you remember who had the most Instagram likes in 2017?
Or do you remember which entrepreneurs built billion-dollar companies?

Impact lasts. Likes fade.

Social Media as a Tool, Not the Toolbox

Social media is valuable — when used wisely. It can amplify your voice, connect you with customers, and build brand awareness. But it cannot be your only strategy.

Here’s how to use it effectively:

Attract: Use posts to draw attention.
Direct: Guide people to your website, podcast, or email list.
Convert: Turn that attention into paying customers.
Retain: Build loyalty through service, not posts.

This is how social media supports success — not defines it.

The Dangers of Over-Reliance

Relying too much on social media creates problems:

Mental burnout from constant posting.
Anxiety over likes, comments, or reach.
Vulnerability to platform changes.
Shallow relationships with followers.

Remember: social media should serve your business, not control your emotions.

Legacy Over Likes

Ask yourself: when your name is remembered, what will it be for?

Will people say, “They had amazing Instagram photos”?
Or will they say, “They built an incredible company that helped people”?

Recognition for making a difference and creating value is more powerful than any like count.

Would You Rather…

Here’s the choice every entrepreneur faces:

👉 Would you rather be:

Known for posting pictures?
Or recognized as the founder of a respected company?

The answer is obvious. But the choice is yours.

Case Studies: Real Success Beyond Likes

Local businesses: Many thrive with almost no social media presence — relying on referrals, word of mouth, and customer service.
Entrepreneurs: Some built six- and seven-figure businesses with tiny followings, focusing instead on relationships and results.
Brands: Some of the world’s biggest companies barely post on Instagram — yet they dominate industries.

Proof that success is not defined by digital applause.

Shifting Mindsets

To break free from the myth of social media, you must reframe success:

From validation → to value.
From likes → to legacy.
From followers → to customers.
From trends → to timeless work.

This mindset shift is what separates entrepreneurs from influencers.

Practical Steps to Break Free

Focus on building your website and email list.
Track meaningful metrics like conversions and sales.
Limit time spent obsessing over likes.
Use social media intentionally, not emotionally.
Invest in skills, networking, and products that last.

The Final Truth: Likes Fade, Legacies Last

At the end of the day, social media is temporary. Algorithms shift, platforms die, trends disappear. What remains is the impact you created, the business you built, and the lives you touched.

Don’t let likes define you. Don’t let algorithms control your confidence. Build something real, something lasting, something that matters.

Because success has never been about likes.
It’s about legacy.