
Food Influencers Are Making Uncomfortable Eye Contact With You — And They're Doing It On Purpose
Food trends that thrive on TikTok and Instagram need to have a strong visual hook. Something about the thumbnail image must capture users’ attention and get them to stop their scrolling, so viral hits like the Dubai chocolate bar and Chamoy pickles rely on bright colors, clear lighting, and — in many cases — creators making eye contact with viewers and taking a big bite of the dish in question.
This trend of social creators eating up-close-and-personal on camera has been a major influence on food-related TikToks and Instagram videos for years now, and while this video style is polarizing (more on that later), it definitely succeeds in getting users to click and watch.