A Chinese online industry allows users to construct 'wealthy' social media profiles by purchasing curated lifestyle photos. These pictures, depicting travel, gourmet meals, and luxury activities, range in price and are marketed for building an aspirational online persona.

An online industry has emerged which allows people to create “wealthy” personal profiles on social media in China by buying “luxury lifestyle” photographs for as little as one yuan (15 US cents). The pictures feature travel scenery, gourmet dining, golfing, skiing and other activities on e-commerce platforms. The photographs are typically priced between one and eight yuan and are marketed as ready-made content for social media posts or for building a curated online persona. They are usually...