Did William Shatner’s rant on Twitter Verification have merit? Do “nobodies” deserve to be given certain status? In a world where status is everything, the Internet had seemingly given equal status to anyone with a voice—a golden age of equality where brands and celebrities enjoyed the same tools online as everyone else. The only difference: their reach. Now status symbols are swarming social channels, giving priority, exclusivity, and unique tools to those in the right circles. Twitter’s Verification process seems to be more about “who you know” rather than “who you are” and Facebook’s recent ‘Mentions’ app is tailored exclusively to celebrities. If you’re not Verified, buying advertising, or an acclaimed Social Media Guru, does your voice matter anymore? Let's explore the collapse of online equality and see who has the upper hand in this new status-driven social ecosphere. What will that mean for brands and influencers, whose greatest asset was their approachability?

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