Navigating the bustling social scene of New York City has taught me a thing or two about people.

One trend I’ve noticed, particularly on the digital landscape, is the quest for validation through likes, shares, and retweets.

Now, don’t get me wrong; a little social media love can be a good thing. Yet, there’s a stark difference between sharing a life moment and chasing validation.

As a writer at Global English Editing, I’ve become well-versed in identifying certain subtle personality traits that are common among those who endlessly seek online approval.

In this article, we’ll delve into these seven subtle traits. By recognizing them, you could better understand your own social media habits or those of people around you.

Let’s dive into the complex world of virtual validation seekers.

1) Approval seekers

People who chase validation on social media often display a strong desire for approval. They tend to measure their self-worth based on the number of likes, comments, or shares they receive. A post’s success is directly linked to their sense of self-esteem.

This approval-seeking behavior can manifest itself in different ways. For some, it’s about posting the perfect selfie or the well-orchestrated life event. For others, it might be the incessant need to share every single moment of their day.

The underlying motive? To get that digital nod of approval from their online community.

Understanding this trait can help us navigate our own online habits and interactions more mindfully. Because let’s be honest, we all want to feel seen and valued, but there’s a fine line between sharing and seeking validation.

2) Comparison game players

This trait hits especially close to home. I recall a time in my early days as a writer here at Global English Editing. I found myself constantly comparing my articles’ engagement to those of my colleagues. Before I knew it, I was in a self-imposed competition, not just to match but exceed the likes and shares their articles received.

It’s not uncommon for individuals who seek social media validation to fall into this comparison trap. They incessantly measure their online success against others’. Their holiday photos must be more exotic, their food shots more delectable, and their life events more momentous.

The danger lies not in the comparison itself but in allowing it to dictate one’s happiness or sense of accomplishment. It’s a slippery slope from comparison to obsession, and that’s where the line between healthy social media use and validation seeking gets blurred.

Recognizing this pattern is the first step towards breaking free from this comparison game and finding validation within oneself rather than from the virtual world.

3) Over-sharers

When it comes to social media, there’s a delicate balance between sharing moments from your life and oversharing. Those who seek validation often lean towards the latter, documenting every single moment of their day on their stories or feeds.

Interestingly, a study found that people who post about their daily routines frequently on social media are more likely to feel socially isolated. The researchers suggest that this could be because the constant need for validation can create a kind of ‘digital loneliness’.

It’s not about being secretive, but about understanding that not every moment needs to be publicized. The over-sharing trait may signal an underlying need for validation and attention, which is often mistaken for connectivity and belonging in the world of social media. By recognizing this trait, we can better manage our own online habits and foster more authentic connections.

4) Perfection seekers

Have you ever scrolled through a social media feed that seems just a little too perfect? Every picture is flawlessly curated, every post is thoughtfully crafted, and every moment is seemingly picture-perfect. This could be a sign of someone who seeks validation on social media.

Perfection seekers often put immense pressure on themselves to present an idealized version of their lives to the online world. This could be driven by their need for approval or fear of judgment. They meticulously edit and filter their reality to fit into the “perfect” mold they believe will garner the most likes or comments.

The downside? This constant striving for perfection can lead to feelings of inadequacy, stress, and even impact their mental health. 

5) Emotional reactors

I remember a time when I would post something online, and if it didn’t get the response I anticipated, I’d quickly delete it. The lack of likes or comments made me question the worth of my posts, and in turn, my worth.

Emotional reactors often tie their emotional state to the success of their social media posts. If a post performs well, they feel on top of the world. If it doesn’t, they may feel upset or even question their worth.

This emotional rollercoaster tied to likes and comments is a clear sign of someone who chases validation through social media. It’s important to remember that social media engagement isn’t a measure of our worth or value.

6) Attention diverters

We’ve all seen those cryptic posts or dramatic captions that leave us wondering what’s really going on. This is a common trait of those seeking validation on social media. They often use their posts to divert attention towards themselves, usually in an attempt to elicit concern or curiosity from their followers.

These attention diverters thrive on the engagement these posts receive. The comments asking if they’re okay or what happened provide them with a sense of being cared for and important.

But this constant need for attention can create an unhealthy reliance on social media for emotional support. It’s crucial to remember that while social media can be a platform for sharing and connecting, it shouldn’t replace real-life relationships and genuine emotional support. Identifying this trait can help us maintain a healthy balance between our online and offline lives.

7) Validation dependents

If there’s one trait that stands out the most among those who seek validation on social media, it’s dependency. These individuals heavily rely on digital approval to feel good about themselves. Their self-esteem is largely dictated by the number of likes, comments, shares or followers they have.

The danger lies in this dependency. When one’s self-worth is tied to external validation, it can lead to a fragile sense of self and emotional instability. It’s vital to cultivate a sense of self-worth that is not dependent on external factors.

Your worth is not measured by the number of likes on your posts or the followers on your profile. You are much more than your social media presence.