As petra says, there is a lot more to influencing than posting a photo. They have to work out market segmentation, then get the various demographics to engage with them on an ongoing basis, so they have to be likeable and make different groups feel part of their 'tribe'. Photography is another skill, as are video and scriptwriting. They need to keep up with trends and know what is about to come into fashion in whatever market they operate in, and promote it skilfully and effectively.
I don't follow any - oh, I do subscribe (free) to Nick Lewis on YouTube. He talks about home decor that is realistic and achievable, and I like his sense of humour. I don't think I've bought anything as a result, however, as (a) he's Canadian, and both styles of house and available outlets vary between there and the UK, (b) I have my own style, (c) I'm old enough to be his mother, and (d) I'm not decorating anywhere, and don't watch with a view to being influenced, although I'm sure a few of his ideas have permeated my brain. I just enjoy his videos and as they're only about 15 minutes long I sometimes put one on if I've got a tiny bit of time to kill and it's not worth starting anything more productive.
On FB I like looking at vegetarian recipes being cooked, and they tend to promote ingredients such as Nooch (nutritional yeast) or new ranges of pans or other cookware. I am aware that they are promotions, and decide whether to get things or not. Usually not, as I don't replace things like pans unless it's necessary. I'm on my second set in over 40 years of marriage. I might try a new ingredient if I like the look of it, but I might just as easily be influenced by a TV ad, a friend recommending it, a special offer in Sainsbury's. What's the difference?
It's the same with people buying make-up or phones. If you're interested and click through you see more of the same, but not if you don't. There is no point in anyone pushing make-up at me, as I don't buy or wear it (or very little). I'd rather have ads targeted at what I actually want as, say, the ones on TV with dancing builders singing about diarrhoea, but they are harder to avoid if you want to watch live TV.
I don't think the new usage of the word 'haul' is anything sinister or greedy. It's a more modern way of saying 'purchases' - 'Look at what I bought today' sort of thing. Nobody needs to feel they have to buy all of it - young people are savvy, and are fully aware that it's a sales pitch.
More insidious (to me) is the way 'beach bodies' and the like are promoted, so normal shaped girls can feel inadequate. To be fair, though, Jackie magazine did the same in the 70s, and women's magazines always had diets and calorie counted recipes. I haven't seen the Manosphere ones, but wish they weren't influencing young men and boys.
