Why I don't do paid partnerships on Instagram

My Instagram account was only ever supposed to be supplemental to my website. I never expected much from it and I've never really put a lot of effort into it. However, during the pandemic when people were looking for off the beaten path locations more than ever, the interest in my Instagram account piqued. During that time I started getting offers to do sponsored content, i.e. paid partnerships.

Paid partnerships

The very first time I was approached to do a paid partnership was by an eyewear company. Instantly, alarm bells went off in my head - I never ever pose in my photos, no humans do, all my content is scenery. So why on earth would an eyewear company single me out to promote their sunglasses!?

At first I thought it was a scam. But after much research, out of curiosity, it turned out it was a genuine offer. However, they had just used an algorithm to choose me, among hundreds of others, to offer the opportunity to. I wonder what their uptake rate is; out of all the hundreds of people they approach, how many actually take them up on the offer? You get a 'free' pair of sunglasses out of it, but then you have to promote those sunglasses in your Instagram posts, regardless of how you actually feel about those sunglasses.

Since then, I get at least one offer a week, often one a day. But I think of the people I know who do it and the ethical lines they've had to cross, and bin the offers straight away. For example, a friend of mine has an ongoing relationship with a boutique.  Twice they have sent her items that are so hideous she just wanted to throw them in the bin. But she had to don them and promote them on her account, without a hint of how much she disliked them. She doesn't get paid for doing it - the 'free' items are the payment. Not much of a payment when you don't like the items they send you.

The only offer I didn't put straight in the bin was a recent one: I was approached by an Air B'n'B to come stay, for free, and then share the location on my Instagram. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it. But a quick look on the Internet showed that this particular Air B'n'B doesn't get great reviews. So what if I took them up on the offer and I also don't find it up to par, like dozens of other users online? Well, I would still have to give them a good review. Which is not something I am comfortable with.

I am sure not all paid partnerships were created equally! And maybe one day, if I find the right fit I might even try it out. But right now, I have no interest in doing  paid partnerships on Instagram as I want full control over what I share and how I share it. Moreover, more often than not, I skim over sponsored content on Instagram, because, similarly I prefer honest, uninfluenced reviews and impressions of the locations and products I'm viewing.

Have you ever done a paid partnership on Instagram? Would you? Do you think my opinion is unfair or harsh? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.