selflike

Selflike is a term used in digital culture to describe the practice of attributing liking or approval to one's own content or to self-praise within online environments. It is not a single standardized concept and has appeared in multiple contexts, often as a topic of discussion in media studies, app design, and user psychology.

Etymology and usage: the term is a portmanteau of self and like, and is sometimes used descriptively to refer to features that enable users to like their own posts or to strategies that foreground self-affirmation in online communication. In some discussions, selflike is framed as a broader tendency toward self-referential validation rather than a formal metric.

In technology and social media: some platforms have experimented with self-like prompts, autofill suggestions, or dashboards that highlight a user’s own engagement with their content. Critics argue such features can distort engagement metrics, encourage narcissistic behavior, and blur lines between authentic expression and self-promotion. Proponents suggest that controlled self-affirmation tools may support confidence-building and positive user experience when used responsibly.

In psychology and sociology: scholars analyze selflike as part of self-presentation strategies, feedback loops, and the psychology of validation. It intersects with concepts such as self-esteem, social comparison, and digital wellness.

Criticism and reception: the concept is contested, with concerns about manipulation of user behavior, amplification of ego-centric metrics, and potential harm to collective discourse. Discussions emphasize balanced design, transparency, and the need for broader metrics of well-being.

Variants and related terms: self-promotion, self-affirmation, like economy, ego metrics.

See also: social media, self-esteem, like button, digital wellness.