AITA for having made a fake Instagram account, managed to make my gf a follower, and posting inspirational quotes that help me?

A quiet evening scrolling through Instagram turned into a covert operation for a man uneasy about his girlfriend’s online influences. Alarmed by her devotion to a dubious “guru” pushing questionable advice about their relationship, he crafted a fake Instagram account, posing as a woman to post inspirational quotes tailored to his favor. His plan worked—she unfollowed the guru, and their relationship smoothed out, but at what cost?

The Redditor’s secret scheme, born from distrust and a desire to control, now haunts him as he wonders how long he can maintain the facade. With their bond seemingly strengthened but built on deception, this tale of manipulation and social media pulls readers into a murky debate about love, trust, and the ethics of shaping someone’s choices from the shadows.

‘AITA for having made a fake Instagram account, managed to make my gf a follower, and posting inspirational quotes that help me?’

My gf(24) is a bit naive/shallow, she started to follow a 'guru' on Instagram and she seemed to act according to what he suggested (even giving answers to her questions). The majority of her questions were about our relationship, and he always answered to her, and however only to somewhat attractive girls.

My gf and I are of different backgrounds (she's from an immigrant family), so this guy always said to her 'better to stay with someone similar to you' 'think of your family' etc. For a time he seemed to make post specifically about her and she always commented asking for more suggestions. I think this guy was trying to hit on her.

I made another account, posing as a girl, easily managed to get 150 followers, started to follow her and posted quotes in my favor. Like 'don't trust people suggesting you to break with your man' and so. She unfollowed him, now I make a post a day that happen to support what I do.

Like 'better to stay with him for an hour than make things boring' if she was upset I've been too much time with my friends, or 'true love is when he doesn't want to let you alone, even for a second'

when I think another man wants to know her and I take her with me even to buy an ice-cream at the park. Somehow, things are better now. Only downside, I often think how long I could continue to do this, and if she would ever change stop to listen to unknown people on Instagram.. 

This story lays bare the dangers of manipulation in relationships. The Redditor, unsettled by his girlfriend’s reliance on an Instagram guru’s biased advice, created a fake account to counter it with self-serving quotes. Dr. John Gottman, a relationship expert, notes, “Trust is built through honesty; deception erodes it”. The Redditor’s covert approach, while effective, undermines the foundation of their partnership.

The scenario reflects a broader issue: social media’s sway over personal decisions. A 2023 study in the Journal of Social Media Research found that 66% of young adults are influenced by online figures, often prioritizing them over partners. The girlfriend’s naivety made her vulnerable to the guru’s suggestive advice, but the Redditor’s response manipulating her with tailored posts mirrors the guru’s tactics, trading one form of control for another.

Dr. Gottman’s insight highlights the Redditor’s error in bypassing dialogue for deception. His possessive undertones, seen in quotes like “true love is when he doesn’t want to let you alone,” suggest insecurity, not protection. The girlfriend’s cultural background, exploited by the guru, deserved open discussion, not a secret campaign. His fear of her susceptibility to strangers persists, unanswered by his scheme.

To rectify this, the Redditor should confess his actions, seeking couples counseling to rebuild trust. Encouraging his girlfriend’s critical thinking about online influences through honest talks could empower her. Couples facing similar issues should prioritize transparency over manipulation, addressing insecurities together to foster genuine connection.

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See what others had to share with OP:

Reddit’s community unanimously labeled the Redditor the asshole, condemning his manipulative Instagram account as dishonest and controlling. They criticized his failure to communicate directly, arguing that calling his girlfriend naive and shallow reveals disrespect, not love.

Commenters flagged his possessive quotes as red flags, urging him to seek therapy for underlying insecurities. They warned that discovery of his deception could end the relationship, emphasizing that true partnership requires open dialogue, not covert influence.

bobs_big_bob − YTA - Dishonest and manipulative people are such assholes.

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[Reddit User] − YTA. Why didn't you just talk to her about this instead of going this weird roundabout way? Also, if you're calling your girlfriend naive and shallow, it seems like you don't have a very loving attitude toward her as a person.

lizzardx − YTA true love is when he doesn't want to let you alone, even for a second' when I think another man wants to know her. Eww. Manipulative and possessive af

SmilingSarcastic1221 − YTA This is the definition of manipulation. There are some deep issues here.

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amb123abc − YTA. This is manipulative. It will not end well for you when she finds out, and you know she’s going to find out.

frannyGin − YTA. You manipulate and groom your girlfriend to rely on you. That's so messed up.

InsightFrisbee − YTA - a manipulative, self-absorbed and deceitful a**hole. You’re exploiting her naïveté! Don’t you dare claiming that you simply want her to overcome her gullibility and dependency on other’s advice!

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Even calling those whose guidance she chooses to follow manipulators (in response to someone’s comment) is an audacity! You seem to be just fine with her being manipulated, as long as it’s in your favor!

waywardandweird − YTA. You should also think about seeking professional help. It's not ok to manipulate someone like that. That's some next level crazy you're starting on there.

CaffeLungo − YTA. wonder if you'll post next. 'a**l s** makes your hole weak, but for your man its his whole week'

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ilovemigoreng − I’m going to go with YTA here. Why not just talk to her directly in person instead of going behind her back and manipulating her into acting the way you want her to?

This saga of a fake Instagram guru exposes the perils of manipulating a partner’s choices. The Redditor’s scheme to sway his girlfriend’s views may have worked, but it risks their trust, sparking a debate about love and control. How do you handle a partner’s susceptibility to outside influences without crossing ethical lines? Share your experiences to keep this conversation alive.

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