Did you know that Merriam Webster updated the word "Influencer" to the dictionary in 2019?

Of course that word has always existed, but in 2019 they added the current definition to the term. Influencerupdate details -

The original definition of the term won’t change, but the word will be given an additional definition with it as “a person who is able to generate interest in something (such as a consumer product) by posting about it on social media".

There's a status that comes along with being an "influencer". Sure having a lot of followers on social media is the goal. Then there's a whole different status of someone who is "verified". If you've ever been on social media and you've seen somebody have a blue check by their name, that means they're verified.

It started as a way for social media to keep people from impersonating celebrities. But now that influencers are a thing, the online verification is a huge status symbol. And apparently it's as coveted as a college degree.

A new poll shows 1 in 4 Americans would rather have a verified Instagram account than a college degree. So how does that statistic play out in Illinois? Well, according to the survey that shows the percent of 18-24 year olds who would rather have a verified Instagram account with a large following than a college degree ...

Credit PRFire
Credit PRFire
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Not too bad Illinois. The state that had the highest percentage was Louisiana at 57%. Tennessee ranked the lowest with only 5%.

You can check out the full poll here.

H/T PRFIRE

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