In the age of social media, the pursuit of validation and attention has become more visible than ever.

As social media users, we all want to feel seen, heard, and validated—we want our posts to be liked, shared, and commented on.

But, for some individuals, this desire can morph into an unhealthy obsession known as clout chasing.

Clout chasing—seeking popularity or influence by any means—often reveals itself through specific behaviors that can feel inauthentic or performative.

Psychologists have identified several traits and behaviors that are characteristic of clout chasers. So today, let’s explore that. 

Here are nine signs that someone might be clout chasing on social media, and what these behaviors say about their motivations:

1) They overly self-promote

Self-promotion isn’t inherently harmful—many people use social media to share their accomplishments, our work, or even a recent good hair day.

However, when it becomes excessive, it might be a sign of clout chasing.

Clout chasers often use their social media platforms as a constant advertisement of themselves. Every post, every story, and every comment is carefully crafted to sell a particular image or lifestyle, like their life is a never-ending highlight reel.

In the end, their goal is about gaining likes, followers, and comments—the currency of clout on social media.

2) They engage in online drama

If someone is consistently involved in online disputes or controversy, this could be a sign they’re chasing clout.

The internet has a short attention span, and nothing grabs attention quite like a good scandal or feud.

A clout-chasing person often picks fights with more influential figures or jumps on every trending topic, regardless of whether it relates to their personal brand or interests. They may even create misunderstandings or spread rumors, all in the name of gaining more visibility.

This behavior is linked to a psychological phenomenon known as ‘negative attention seeking’—any attention, even if it’s negative, is better than no attention at all.

Being part of a controversy will keep them relevant and in the public eye, boosting their online influence and clout.

3) They rarely engage with their followers

While social media is designed for interaction and engagement, clout chasers often treat it like a one-way street—they rarely interact genuinely with their followers.

Their responses to comments are generic or non-existent, with messages lacking personal touch. They’ll post frequently, but they might not reply to comments or engage in conversations.

A behavior like this one might seem counterproductive in building a genuine follower base, but to clout chasers, it doesn’t seem to matter. It’s the quantity of followers that they’re concerned about.

Social media is but a stage where they are the main character under the limelight, and everyone else is merely an audience member.

4) They’re never offline

Social media takes up a significant portion of a clout chaser’s life—it’s their world of being constantly online, posting, commenting, liking, sharing, and living their life through the lens of their social media persona.

The reality is, the pursuit of clout can be exhausting.

There’s no off switch, no downtime, no space to breathe, and the pressure to stay relevant and keep up with the ever-changing digital landscape can be all-consuming.

Behind the glamorous Instagram posts and viral TikTok videos, there’s often a person who’s struggling to disconnect, to find balance, to remember who they were before they started chasing clout.

Unfortunately, admitting this reality would shatter the picture-perfect image they’ve worked so hard to create—so they keep posting, keep pretending, trapped in a cycle of their own making.

5) They struggle with self-worth

Beneath the flashy posts and constant self-promotion, clout chasers often grapple with feelings of insecurity and inadequacy.

Their self-worth becomes intertwined with their online popularity, and they start to measure their value in likes, shares, and follower counts.

It’s important to remember that these individuals are people that might just be using social media as a means to validate their worthiness and existence.

Humans live in a society that often equates popularity with success and happiness, so it’s not surprising that some people feel compelled to chase clout—even at the expense of their own well-being.

6) They’re always on trend

One of the behaviors of a clout chaser is finding ways to stay relevant and visible in the fast-paced world of social media.

That’s why keeping up with the latest trends and viral challenges is a common trait among clout chasers.

One day they’re doing the “Diva” dance challenge, the next they’re making blind box unboxing TikTok videos.

Most people have likely jumped on a trend or two, whether it was taking a selfie with the a new Instagram filter, imitating a mukbang video from YouTube, or trying out a popular TikTok dance challenge.

It’s fun, it’s engaging, and it feels good to be part of something bigger!

For clout chasers, though, it’s less about enjoyment and more about strategy—a calculated move to gain more followers and increase their online visibility.

7) They’re a serial hashtag user

Everyone has seen them—those posts with more hashtags than actual content.

Majority of clout chasers are known for their liberal use of hashtags, often using popular or trending ones to increase the visibility of their posts.

Whether it’s #instagood, #photooftheday, #followme, or #likeforlike, they’re not shy about piling them on.

In all honesty, their posts might look like a word soup of hashtags with a sprinkle of actual content.

Most online users use hashtags sparingly or to find content we’re interested in, but clout chasers use them as bait to reel in likes, comments, and followers.

It might seem humorous or even desperate to some, but in the world of clout chasing, it’s just another day at the office!

8) They’re constantly rebranding

In the quest for online popularity, clout chasers often change their online persona as frequently as they change their profile pictures.

Their personas could be so complex that in one video they’ll act as a fitness guru, the next they’re a mental health advocate, then suddenly they’re an expert in cryptocurrency.

Sure, it’s normal for interests and passions to evolve over time, but this constant rebranding is less about personal growth and more about jumping on whatever bandwagon seems most likely to get them attention at that moment.

In essence, they’re willing to sacrifice authenticity for popularity.

But here’s some tough love: True influence and respect come from staying true to who you are and what you stand for.

9) They measure their worth in likes and followers

Perhaps the most significant sign of a clout chaser is that they equate their self-worth with their social media metrics.

Likes, comments, shares, and follower counts are validations of their value and success.

As a society, people need to remember that their worth cannot be measured by online popularity—people are more than social media profiles.

People are complex, multi-faceted individuals with unique talents, experiences, and perspectives.

Engaging with social media can be a fun and meaningful way to connect with others, but it should never define who we are as individuals.

So, remember: Don’t let the chase for clout cloud your judgment or compromise your authenticity.

You are enough, just as you are.

Wrapping it up

Encountering a clout chaser on social media can be a frustrating and disheartening experience.

However, it’s essential to remember that their actions often stem from a place of insecurity and a deep need for validation.

Clout chasing is essentially an amplified, digital manifestation of this need for validation; it’s not inherently evil or malicious, but it’s certainly not healthy or fulfilling either.

If you recognize these behaviors in someone, consider having an honest conversation about your concerns and , if they’re open to it, professional help could be valuable.

Likewise, if you see these traits in yourself, remember your worth isn’t tied to likes or followers. True value lies in authentic relationships, personal growth, and meaningful contributions.

Social media is just one part of life, often full of distortions—step back and remember: you are enough, just as you are.