Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, and YouTube are a big part of our daily lives. About 83% of U.S. adults use YouTube regularly, according to Pew Research Centre. Many people now work as content creators and influencers.
However, focusing too much on social media can be unhealthy. Last year, The New York Times reported how some angry diners shunned an influencer capturing photos inside a restaurant. Some places, including restaurants and other spots worldwide, are banning influencers for privacy and other reasons. Here are the places saying a big no to the influencer hype.
UK Gyms
Lifestyle bloggers and vloggers often suggest ways to live our lives perfectly. Nowadays, one of the most popular types of content is filming fitness routines and gym workout videos. Many gyms and fitness centers in the United Kingdom have lined up to restrict influencers inside the premises. An English fitness trainer, Erin Blakely, states that many gyms have imposed a policy against using camera equipment.
The main reasons behind these actions are primarily privacy and safety concerns for other gym-goers. Moreover, the obsessive urge of influencers to show unrealistic fitness goals is also hampering healthy fitness routines.
Pomfret, Vermont
The quaint little town of Pomfret in Vermont is famous for its scenic landscape and serenity. As per news reports, this town decided to put a ban on influencers after several unpleasant experiences in 2023.
An influx of visitors, driven by influencers’ posts, occurred in Pomfret during the autumn foliage. The overflow of tourists led to traffic congestion, littering, and disruption of local life. As a result, the Select Board of Pomfret closed down the most popular spots to preserve the area’s natural beauty. Ensuring a quiet, undisturbed environment for residents and genuine tourists is of utmost priority for the town.
North London Soccer Grounds
North London soccer grounds, particularly those of major clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, have restrictions regarding influencers. These clubs have implemented measures to limit the activities of social media influencers. Influencers often use selfie sticks that have been banned in these stadiums due to safety concerns. These items can potentially be used as weapons during sudden outbreaks of violence, posing a risk to both fans and players.
The White Moose Café in Dublin, Ireland
In 2018, The White Moose Café in Dublin, Ireland, got into a conflict with British YouTuber Elle Darby. The vlogger had requested a complimentary stay in exchange for promoting the hotel on her social media.
The hotel’s owner, Paul Stenson, publicly rejected her request, arguing that providing free services for exposure wasn’t fair to his staff who need to be paid. This led to a backlash from the blogging community and a flood of negative reviews. Ultimately, Stenson decided to ban all bloggers from his business, citing a sense of entitlement in the influencer community.
Mittsume Desserts, Taiwan
Mittsume Desserts in Taipei, Taiwan, decided to ban influencers after facing significant disruptions caused by their behavior. The owners stated Influencers would move furniture, stand on chairs for photos, and often interfere with other customers’ experiences. Their statement revealed they were unwilling to compromise their customers’ satisfaction because of the irresponsible behaviors of influencers. The strict ‘no influencers’ policy includes photographing other customers’ meals or disrupting the cafe’s ambiance for vlogging.
Montana, USA
In 2023, Montana decided to ban TikTok, a very popular social video application among influencers. Montana became the first U.S. state to impose this unprecedented rule. The primary reason behind this decision was to protect residents from alleged intelligence gathering by the Chinese government. Greg Gianforte, the Governor of Montana, expressed concerns that the China-manufactured app TikTok could misuse American people’s data for surveillance and propaganda purposes.
Sacred Places in Bali
In March 2023, the Indonesian Government imposed a ban on all types of influencer activities. The Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, said that influencers are causing huge damage to the sanctity of their sacred places. Influencers have often engaged in inappropriate activities at sacred sites and showed insensitivity towards local customs. Influencers often use these sacred places as backdrops for commercial purposes which seem disrespectful to the spiritual sentiments.
Portofino, Italy
The small town of Portofino on the Italian Riviera declared a fine of €275 on people lingering for selfies. This policy was mainly aimed at pushing influencers away. Influencers often attract large crowds, leading to congestion and safety hazards. Their activities can disrupt residents’ daily routines and degrade the town’s natural and historical sites. To address these problems and preserve Portofino’s charm and tranquility, authorities have implemented such measures.
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney has recently banned influencers following a recent incident. This measure was taken to protect the guest experience, maintain the park’s atmosphere, and ensure safety. Influencers often create congestion and disrupt other visitors’ enjoyment by staging photo shoots and videos. Their activities can also clash with Disney’s family-friendly image and stringent content guidelines. By restricting influencer activities, Disney aims to preserve the magical and immersive environment that guests expect.
DAE in Brooklyn, New York
In 2023, an aesthetically pleasing design boutique and cafe, Dae, opened in a serene lane in Brooklyn, New York. This cafe got extreme public attention from customers because of its photogenic atmosphere and food. Influencers often created disruptions by staging elaborate photo shoots, taking up space for extended periods, and sometimes disregarding the comfort and enjoyment of other patrons. Thus the DAE cafe banned influencers to maintain a welcoming and relaxed ambiance for its regular customers. They wanted to prioritize their fixed customers for a sustainable business model.
Fyre Restaurant in Perth, Australia
The Fyre Restaurant in Perth is owned and managed by a renowned chef John Mountain. In 2023, Mountain declared on his Instagram account that vegans are not welcome in his diner anymore. He made this decision after a customer complained on social media that his restaurant did not have thoughtful options for vegans. There is no specific ban on influencers coming into this restaurant. Yet, vegan influencers can never create any content here.