By - Amit kumaR Agarwal
Nepal took an assertive step and it's action became global news. For the uninitiated, Nepal banned 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X, and WhatsApp, on September 4, 2025.
The reason for this ban is reportedly due to the failure of these social media platforms to register with the government of Nepal. Sources also said that these SM platforms, failed to comply with the regulatory requirements in Nepal; such as appointing a local representative and a complaint officer.
Reportedly, the government of Nepal, stated these platforms can resume operations once they complete the necessary registration process, as per a Supreme Court directive to regulate unlicensed online platforms.
This action brings back memories, when once thriving social media platform, TikTok was banned in India, It made many influencers go jobless because they couldn't adapt to other SM platforms. It also, boosted the eco-system of Instagram, as there was no other potent social media platform available - making new influencers out of nobodies
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While many agree 'influencer' is a bubble waiting to bust; many strategists say they are here to stay, only the span will decrease - an influencer averages two to three years - making room for new ones!
BUT, what if India bans instagram, do the influencers have a backup plan. Already the AI has taken a chunk of the job of these influencers. Will banning certain social media affect the Indian marketing eco-system. Bhaarat Bol News spoke to a couple of stake-holders working in the eco-system.
Natalia Lee, a model based in Goa says that she has over 100,000 followers on instagram; she calls herself an influencer and admits that if there is a ban; she really doesn't know, what she will do. "I am a model and an actress, but most of my earnings are from instagram, that's the fact".
Sachin Gupta, owner of an influencer marketing agency in Delhi-NCR says "a chunk of influencer marketing is through facebook and instagram; if there is a ban on these - the only potent platform left will be LinkedIn; 70% of these influencers are not active at all on LinkedIn. It will be a hard hit for these influencers".
Vidya Chandran, a marketing strategist based in Bengaluru says "I advise all my clients to go 25:25:20:30 - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn. Also I suggest cross-feeds, so that even if three are down, fourth can serve".
She signed off saying that if all of the four social-media platforms are banned, it is pure bad luck.