Millions of views, lively comment sections… have gradually become the metrics that some online sellers aim for. In fact, this criterion has led to numerous cases where sellers actively shift the boundaries of decency and ethics, readily resorting to shocking tactics. The peak of this phenomenon is the use of sensitive personal images to attract viewers and close sales.
Recently, a girl’s bold outfit change videos, even featuring “full exposure,” aimed at advertising a product have sparked a wave of controversy. Specifically, the girl actively posted scenes of removing her underwear to promote a “worth the money” nightgown she sells. She openly expressed her intent by attaching a product link. This action not only represents a negative marketing strategy but also raises serious questions about the trade-offs and limits of doing business on social media.
The Allure of “Dirty” Content
On various platforms, algorithms prioritize content that has high interaction rates (views, comments, shares) in a short time. Content that is suggestive, controversial, or shocking is always the quickest formula to stimulate the primal curiosity of the crowd. An outfit change video that is revealing, disregarding the advertising content, will immediately be favored by the algorithm: High click rates and initial watch time will lead to the video being suggested to many other users.
Not to mention that the viewers’ behavior of spreading the content through comments and shares inadvertently helps the marketing campaign spread exponentially.
This tactic creates an immediate “viral effect.” The sudden spike in views leads to increased traffic to the sales page, resulting in a surge in the number of orders closed in the short term. For many sellers, this is the only target they aim to achieve, regardless of their behavior.
The Trade-Off: Short-Term Revenue, Long-Term Costs
This strategy is a double-edged sword with severe consequences. Most notably, it involves trading away personal image. It is evident that the girl’s initial goal was to sell a product, but what lingers in the viewers’ minds is the sensitive personal image, not the product’s quality. The girl has traded her respect and personal dignity for the number of orders.
In the long run, this strategy destroys personal branding and causes the product to be labeled as “cheap” and “sensational.” Potential customers, especially those with high incomes and a strong emphasis on professionalism, will turn their backs. The future of the girl will always be associated with the “body flaunting” content for sales.
Although these videos often try to circumvent regulations, they still face the risk of being deleted, permanently banned, or even subjected to fines if they violate regulations regarding the dissemination of obscene and inappropriate cultural products.
What is more concerning is that this behavior sets a bad precedent, promoting the standard of “dirty success” in the online business world: to become famous quickly, one must disregard ethics. This mindset erodes trust in genuine sellers, those who invest in product quality and healthy creative content.
While the goal is to maximize profit, using content that exploits the body and sexuality for profit is an act that crosses the ethical boundary. Online selling does not mean abandoning all social rules. This demonstrates a lack of respect not only for the viewers but also for the sellers themselves.
Revealing and offensive view-baiting videos directly impact the overall digital content environment, polluting the online space, especially for younger audiences who are easily influenced by images and trends. Sellers have a social responsibility to create a healthy business environment based on the true value of their products.
Shocking tactics may yield immediate revenue but cannot build trust or create loyal customers. When the media storm passes, sellers who rely on gimmicks will quickly be forgotten or boycotted.