These Are the Top 5 ‘Creator Icks’ Turning Audiences Off in 2025

Summary:

• The internet has opinions, and creators are feeling them; audiences are becoming more discerning and vocal.

• Top 5 creator “icks” include showing off luxury, filming strangers without consent, using a “baby voice,” crying on camera, and talking about haters.

• Audiences are tired of inauthentic behavior; they want genuine, relatable creators rather than performative brands.

The internet has opinions, and creators are feeling them. As the creator economy matures, audiences are becoming more discerning, less patient, and far more vocal about what turns them off. According to the Manychat Creator Survey 2025, certain behaviors now trigger instant “icks” among social media users, pushing creators closer to unfollow territory than to viral fame.

The report, based on responses from creators and social media users across major platforms, breaks down the top five behaviors that make people cringe online, offering a revealing snapshot of where influencer culture is losing goodwill.

Here’s what audiences say they’re officially tired of.

These Are the Top 5 Creator Icks in 2025

1. Showing Off Luxury as Normal (19%)

The biggest turnoff? Excess.

Nineteen percent of respondents said that “showing off luxury as normal” is their top creator ick, suggesting that aspirational content has crossed into tone-deaf territory. What once read as motivating now lands as out of touch, especially as cost-of-living anxiety dominates online conversations.

Luxury hauls, private jets, and casual wealth flexes are no longer guaranteed engagement wins. In many cases, they signal disconnect.

2. Filming Strangers Without Consent (15%)

Fifteen percent of users cited filming strangers without consent as a major red flag.

As prank videos, street interviews, and viral “gotcha” content continue to flood feeds, audiences are increasingly uncomfortable with creators who prioritize content over basic boundaries. The data suggests viewers are less entertained by surprise appearances and more concerned with ethics.

3. Using a “Baby Voice” or TikTok Speak (13%)

Internet slang fatigue is real.

Thirteen percent of respondents said using a “baby voice” or exaggerated TikTok speak makes them cringe. What may have once felt playful now reads as forced, performative, or overly manufactured, especially as audiences gravitate toward creators who feel genuine and grounded.

4. Crying on Camera (13%)

The era of emotional oversharing is hitting a wall.

Another 13 percent listed crying on camera as a creator ick, signaling that raw vulnerability has limits. While authenticity still matters, audiences appear increasingly skeptical of emotional displays that feel monetized or strategically timed.

5. Talking About Haters Too Much (13%)

Creators who can’t stop addressing negativity risk becoming it.

Thirteen percent of users said talking about haters too much is a major turnoff. Constantly calling out critics, responding to backlash, or centering content around drama can exhaust audiences who came for entertainment or insight, not ongoing feuds.

The common thread across all five icks is authenticity fatigue. Audiences aren’t rejecting creators altogether; they’re rejecting behavior that feels performative, exploitative, or disconnected from reality.

That shift shows up elsewhere in the Manychat report. When asked why they unfollow creators, 27 percent said content that seemed fake or inauthentic was the top reason, followed by too many ads or constant selling.

In short, audiences want creators who feel human, not hyper-produced brands.