[alexhackhack]

manipulate and influence are similar. So why are people offended?

Influencers get paid for influencing/manipulating people. You now got the concept. If that upsets you, you are kind of slow.

[quantified]

I wonder if you are downvoted for the last two snarky sentences or the entire comment.

The business model is similar to payola. The companies who are marketing via influencers would probably collude to drive up prices to the degree they could, that is why there are so many laws around that area of commerce.

As far as influencers go, it's sort of a weird space. Imagine the popular kids in high school selling Mary Kay or Amway out of their lockers.

[meowster]

upset ≠ not understanding something