What Does Your Social Media Page Say About You?

It’s commonly believed that the main purpose of social networks is to tell the world about yourself, showcase your best sides, and make yourself known to a wide audience. When analyzing someone’s profile, it’s important to remember that the information a person shares is not the full picture. Visiting someone’s page, we see an idealized version of themselves that they’ve created, which doesn’t always match reality. Still, people reveal their values through the choices they make—what photos, posts, and groups they share, and whom they add as friends. These choices give us clues about who they really are.

While researching social media profiling, I found many articles online about analyzing profiles, especially about identifying personality traits based on chosen avatars. Some conclusions seemed insightful, while others were less applicable. Psychologists have identified about 16 types of avatars. Here’s a brief overview:

• No avatar: If the user isn’t new, this may indicate secrecy and a reluctance to share information.
• Personal photo: Suggests openness and confidence. Such people are usually straightforward and say what they think.
• Animals: Each animal symbolizes certain traits (cats—independence, dogs—loyalty, snakes—wisdom, lions—strength). Users often identify with these qualities.
• Cartoon or anime characters: Reflect qualities the user aspires to have.
• Celebrities or politicians: For men, this may show interests or hobbies; for women, especially if it’s a model or star, it may indicate dissatisfaction with their appearance or insecurities.
• Superheroes: Often chosen by teenage boys, reflecting subconscious concerns about safety. For adults, it may signal low self-esteem.
• Attractive women/seductresses: Usually women seeking new online acquaintances. They enjoy compliments and socializing, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they lack intimacy in real life. Sometimes, these avatars are used by “virtual transsexuals,” especially if the image is very explicit.
• Unusual or shocking images: Chosen by users who like to surprise or shock others, most common among teenagers.
• Angry or aggressive images: Often used by people who prefer solitude and are sensitive or easily hurt. They may have aggressive fantasies or guilt complexes. Sometimes, these avatars are used temporarily during bad moods.
• Exclusive, custom-made avatars: Indicates independence, self-worth, and a love of debate. These users are generally sociable, intelligent, and quick to forgive.
• Frequently changed avatars: Constantly changing avatars, especially to different types, suggests instability, a need for new experiences, lots of free time, or internet addiction.
• Eyes: People who choose eye images tend to have a realistic outlook and stand up for their views. Two eyes suggest heightened self-attention and a desire for recognition.
• Humorous or slogan avatars: Used by those who want to express something to the world without openly promoting their views.
• Abstract images: Preferred by conceptual thinkers and those drawn to visual arts.
• Nature: Indicates non-standard thinking and a reluctance to talk about themselves. They prefer discussing big ideas like politics, philosophy, science, or psychology, and are sensitive, romantic, and respectful of others’ opinions.
• Material objects (cars, yachts, luxury items): Suggests a desire to prove their worth. Such users often lack self-confidence and crave recognition. Truly successful people rarely flaunt their possessions online.

There are also some additional avatar types worth mentioning:

• Childhood photo: Indicates a current lack of love or care, a desire to return to carefree times, or sometimes emotional immaturity.
• Photo of their child: Suggests the person is currently focused on their child, possibly at the expense of other areas of life, or may feel unfulfilled in their career or personal identity.
• Official photo in a work setting: Shows a desire for recognition and possibly a lack of self-confidence. The user wants to demonstrate their success and self-realization.
• Black-and-white personal photo: Points to a sensitive, romantic nature with a sense of style and aesthetics.
• Photo with a significant other: Can mean either a lack of confidence in being loved and a fear of loss, or an intense focus on the relationship to the point of merging identities.

It’s important to note that analyzing someone based solely on their avatar is not entirely accurate. Groups and communities they follow, likes, posts, and the number of friends or followers also provide valuable insights. Conclusions should be drawn from a combination of factors, ideally across several social networks.

What Else Can a Social Media Page Reveal?

Let’s look at what else a person’s page can tell us, what behavioral trends we can spot, and what psychological traits might be revealed.

• Lots of group memberships, posts, and photos in various contexts (travel, extreme sports, many friends): Don’t expect this person to strictly follow rules or routines. They value new experiences and opportunities, but may not always finish what they start. They’re usually cheerful, helpful, and enjoy socializing and new adventures.
• Hundreds or thousands of selfies and personal photos: This can reveal both life events and core values. Such people crave attention and like to showcase all aspects of their lives. They often care more about being talked about than what is actually said. Their profiles may be flashy, with few photos of others but possibly some with celebrities. They tend to be egocentric and dramatic, skilled at self-presentation, but may not follow through on promises and can be manipulative.
• Frequent photos with the same people or in the same places, regular posting: Indicates a preference for stability and reliability. These people usually keep their promises and finish what they start. If their posts are negative or feature dark humor, they may have a pessimistic outlook and focus on maintaining what they have rather than seeking new achievements. They’re good for “holding the fort,” but for ambitious plans, look for those with positive, motivational quotes and upbeat content.
• Many photos of nature, animals, or beautiful places: Suggests a sensitive, delicate person with strong family values, especially if there are many family photos. They’re not revolutionaries, but rather conformists, searching for themselves and preferring harmony. If there are few photos with people and more of architecture or places, it may indicate a preference for logical, information-based communication over emotional connection. These are analytical, methodical individuals who carefully consider information before making decisions.
• No social media presence: This can also say a lot. Reasons may include a desire for privacy (due to work, security, or personal beliefs), or simply being too busy (work, travel, business) to maintain a profile. Successful, goal-oriented people whose work doesn’t require self-promotion may avoid social media due to time constraints or a wish to stay out of the spotlight. If they do have accounts, it’s usually for business, not personal use.

Overall, analyzing social media pages is a fascinating activity. By observing the content on your friends’ walls, you can compare it with what you know about them, finding patterns and connections. This helps develop observation skills, critical thinking, and deduction—useful for new acquaintances, hiring decisions, analyzing compatibility, or simply better understanding the people around you.