Ambidextr Media

Some of us may already know the term “online limos”. If not, we may have witnessed or encountered a similar situation. One of these trends is the trend that circulated on TikTok.

“How many likes for a free makeup kit?”

“How many likes for a PR package?”

There are a lot, and they are everywhere! Most significantly, they are also getting out of hand.

Hopping on this trend and asking for a specific item for free is fine, but how many likes do we need to reach before we realize this is already getting too much?

How many likes before we realize that as much as consumers benefit from them, this trend either makes or breaks these brands?

The term online limos started circulating on TikTok. Back then, this behavior surfaced when the COVID-19 pandemic struck the country, and many people’s lives and their primary source of income were affected. It was through this behavior that people were able to have temporary relief from their financial burden.

Back then, this behavior leans more on the monetary aspect of support. But who were the targets of these messages asking for support?

Of course, people with an incredible amount of money.

Messages of online limos often target people who are well-off in life — the influences and business owners. These influencers and business owners were the ones people wished to garner a generous amount of financial support from. They would message almost every established person just for them to find someone who would temporarily suffice their financial needs. Sometimes, even their luxurious needs. Of course, chosen influencers or brands would gladly accept the offer (or maybe refuse them).

But just like anything that could let someone get whatever they want within the snap of their hands, this behavior got out of hand.

Years have passed since the pandemic, and everything returned to normal. Some people could financially sustain themselves, students were back at school, some began working again, and businesses thrived.

But yes, of course, this “online limos” resurfaced with its newest form. People are now asking brands for free products in exchange for a particular amount of likes. They would do this to get their free birthday or graduation gift or simply because they want something free from these brands.

We might see this as something very cutesy. Still, we also need to realize that this trend and behavior of netizens can work for the brands targeted at both the brands’ advantages and disadvantages.

Sure, it is nice to see if brands can follow the flow of current trends going around and about online. This trend can also give them recognition, thus increasing their sales. The trend can also increase the brands’ engagement on a platform where almost everyone is there.

It is heartwarming to see that some brands can make someone’s special day even more special. But these lovely things are what everyone wants, and anyone can do almost anything — both good and bad — just for those things to happen to them.

Constantly putting up with this kind of behavior can affect the financial gains of the brands. This behavior can become abusive once people see how brands willingly give out free products in just a snap by garnering many likes.

“Masarap ang libre.” Yes, it is true. But, as consumers, we must also be very demure and mindful of asking brands for free products.

Because no matter how much we want them in our hands instantly, they are also a product of the brands’ hard work. Like them, we must also work hard to get what we like.

Blog by Cyra Aleeza Benosa