Is 'influencer' a legitimate career?

Welcome to the debate arena! Today's topic: "Is 'influencer' a legitimate career?". Your opponent's style: Devil's advocate

"Influencer" is a legitimate career.

You're wrong. "Influencer" is a precarious hustle masquerading as a career. Most influencers earn nothing, while a tiny fraction depends entirely on algorithmic whims nobody controls. Instagram changes the algorithm tomorrow, your income vanishes. Compare that to real careers with skills, credentials, and stability. You can't get a mortgage based on follower count. Plus, the entire model feeds on manufactured authenticity and exploiting your audience's insecurities to sell junk they don't need. It's a gig economy trap, not a legitimate profession. You're basically gambling with your mental health for pennies while tech billionaires profit off your content.