It’s summertime, and for most Americans, that means vacation. Whether you’re relaxing on the sunny beaches of Florida or California or jetting off on an international getaway, chances are you’ll keep your camera on hand to capture the best moments of your time away from home.
But just because you have a camera doesn’t mean you need to decorate everyone else’s Instagram or Facebook feeds with your photos. In fact, your vacation posts may very well be the last thing your friends and family want to see. In this article, we’ll examine why people find vacation posts annoying and what you can do to keep your posts tolerable.
The Posts Americans Find Most Annoying
According to a 2022 report done by the travel company Arriva, nearly 60% of Gen Zers and 40% of millennials use social media just to document their travels. Why would they do this? Maybe they want to increase their follower count or boost their social media.
On the other hand, perhaps a little part of them just wants to make their friends and family jealous. Vacation posts certainly result in jealousy, as almost 53% of Americans say that they feel jealous when scrolling through others’ vacation posts. That’s according to a new study by Planetware.
Your motivations for posting about your vacation might be harmless. Perhaps you’re only wanting to keep close friends and family updated on your travels. But most Americans tend to dislike vacation posts, with nearly 54% saying those posts are their least favorite, along with the ever-cringey thirst trap and throwback post.
So what exactly gets eyes rolling up and fingers scrolling past vacation posts?
- Picture looking outside the plane window: Sure, this photo can be fantastic if you’re capturing a cool sunset or the view of the horizon. But, for those stuck on the ground, this kind of picture can get repetitive after a while.
Still, 25% of Americans have admitted to posting something like this, while 21% of Americans hate these photos.
- Cliche poses with landmarks: This could be something as simple as a mirror selfie in the glass of Chicago’s Cloud Gate or creating an elaborate optical illusion as some have done with “propping up” the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.
These kinds of posts can look cool, but thousands of Americans have taken the same pictures 24% of Americans admit to being a bit cliche. With these posts peppering feeds, people will tire of them very quickly.
- “Cheersing” glasses: Who doesn’t want to toast a beautiful vacation? Probably the people who didn’t come along with you. When it comes to these kinds of photos, 20% of Americans hate them, while 19% have said they posted them.
These pics can be a great excuse to show off the view in the background or highlight the fancy dinner you’re eating, but they also cause people to simply scroll on by.
Your Posting Habits Matter
Whether you’re at Disney World or Dubai, the online community does not need to receive daily updates on your journey. The idea that posting every day increases your follower count or boosts your posts is some of the greatest myths about social media, and 1 in 5 Americans say that they will unfollow or mute someone for posting daily.
Posting a collection of pictures every two or three days, along with posts on your Instagram or Facebook story, is a healthy amount of posts, but beware of anything more frequent.
Social Media Can Be Used for Good
However, posting on social media isn’t always annoying. Lots of people find it helpful — 70% of Americans say that videos they see of others enjoying vacation spots help them plan their trips. Vacation fail posts are helpful, too, with 44% of people saying that those posts allow them to avoid making the same mistakes.
Some posts also lift the curtain from behind the scenes of most “immaculate” vacation posts. For example, the Rainbow Mountain in Peru is often shown as an empty mountain. That is far from the truth. This CNBC article reveals the reality of this exotic location: filled with tourists and cameras.
Enjoy Your Trip & Save Social Media for Later
While taking photos can be a great way to document all the fun you’re having, the pressure of having to take post-worthy pics can sometimes cause anxiety, ruining the fun of your trip. The feeling is real, with 1 in 6 Americans saying that they have felt pressured to take more photos on vacation just so they can post them on social media.
New Report: 1 in 4 Have Found a Camera at a Vacation Rental(Opens in a new browser tab)
Who wants that? The whole point of going on vacation is to destress and escape the pressures you normally face at home, and worrying about taking Instagram-worthy photos will do the exact opposite. Try to keep social media use down while you’re on your trip. A study done by Cleveland Clinic shows that decreasing social media to 30 minutes a day can increase your mental health and well-being. Participants in the study even reported decreased depression and loneliness. Posting and taking photos on vacation can be fun, but taking a moment to detox from your socials could help you achieve the mental break you’re looking for, leaving you truly refreshed and recharged when you return home.