Meghan Markle, Belle Gibson and the playbook influencers follow without you realising.

It will come as no surprise that there is a lot of dangerous content online. From wellness charlatans to self-proclaimed business gurus, the internet is riddled with influencers positioning themselves as experts, with devastating consequences.

Think Belle Gibson, the disgraced influencer who faked brain cancer and scammed charities. Or Brittany Dawn, the fitness coach who sold diet plans that were anything but personalised. The cost? Real lives at stake, real people harmed.

This doesn't just stop at wellness; it extends into life coaching, business advice, and financial guidance. Influencers who claim expertise in fields where they have none can be downright dangerous. But let's be clear: Meghan Markle's new show With Love, Meghan is not that.

Watch: The official trailer for Love, Meghan. Post continues after video.

Meghan Markle is no expert, and that's a good thing.

As each episode unfolds, it's like she's cosplaying relatability, à la Nara Smith or the ever-controversial Ballerina Farms — except with the backing of a big-budget production company. The style of the series is more of a YouTube vlog than a reality show, the dialogue is forced, and respectfully, who puts a manuka honey stick in a kid's goodie bag as a sweet treat? Get a grip. I unfortunately succumbed to the adorable rainbow fruit platters, so consider me influenced on that front.

But unlike the Belle Gibsons of the world, Meghan isn't selling false hope or life-altering advice. She isn't positioning herself as a homesteading expert, nor is she claiming to be a thought leader on anything revolutionary. At worst, she's delivering an overtly staged tradwife borefest about baking focaccia and making infused bath salts for guests.

Even if she did start calling herself an expert in breadmaking, the worst that could happen is that someone's bread turns out a bit dense. It's not quite the same as someone stopping chemotherapy because an influencer told them to.

The real problem: fake expertise in the influencer age.

The internet has created a new phenomenon: people can fake their way to credibility. And this is far more dangerous than Meghan's banal bread-making. Here's how it happens:

1. Social media followings = expertise?

For reasons that completely escape me, we now judge credibility based on follower count. Someone with 500K followers must know what they're talking about, right? Except, no. Followers don't equal qualifications. Look beyond the vanity metrics.

Meghan Markle has a massive following, but not because she's a homesteading guru. She's famous because she's Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex (and Rachel, from Suits). There's a difference.

2. Invented authority.

Fake awards, self-given titles, and paid-for credentials all create an illusion of expertise. Ever noticed how many online coaches suddenly become award-winning? Spoiler: many of these accolades are meaningless, self-nominated, or straight-up purchased. It's up to us to separate the wheat from the chaff.

3. The 'rags to riches' narrative.

The classic: "I did it, so you can too." This is the backbone of many influencer sales tactics. They tell you their struggle story, gloss over key privileges (wealth, education, connections), and sell you the dream.

Meghan, to her credit, has never hidden her privilege. She even reminded Mindy Kaling on her show that she was Sussex, not Markle. Unlike the '7-figure entrepreneurs' who rent houses for photo shoots, passing them off as their own, Meghan shared that the series was produced in a rented house. The issue isn't having privilege; it's pretending you don't and never acknowledging it. Profiting off false narratives is shady business.

Listen to Mamamia Out Loud where Mia, Jessie, and Holly share their thoughts on With Love, Meghan. Post continues after audio.

4. Wealth and success signalling.

A lot of influencers sell the sizzle, not the steak. They flaunt lavish lifestyles without explaining the financial backing, inherited wealth, or business models that got them there. They want you to believe their method is why they're successful, so you'll buy into it. Purchasing their $444 masterclass to unlock their faux sales secrets is what's lining their pockets; not actual business results.

Again, this isn't what Meghan is doing. She isn't trying to convince you that making candles will make you rich (it won't.) She's simply… making candles.

We need more legitimate female experts.

Influencers know how to play the marketing game, and legitimate experts often don't. This is a major problem. We need more female experts stepping up to the plate, sharing their knowledge, and reclaiming the space from self-proclaimed 'gurus' who thrive on half-truths and marketing gimmicks.

It's also on us as consumers to practice due diligence. Belle Gibson monetised her cancer — why are media publications out of line for asking for proof? If someone's expertise is their entire brand, it's fair to ask for credentials. We must become critical consumers of marketing, for our own good.

Doing research and due diligence.

What if we applied the same level of sleuthness to sussing out influencers and coaches that we did with Meghan and Blake Lively? We wouldn't be scammed and duped at the same rate.

Many coaches and influencer brands use social proof, often in the form of paid or fabricated testimonials, to build credibility. The only way to protect yourself? Take your time, don't be pressured, and ask for details. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

We should be talking to real people who have actually worked with these life coaches and business gurus, not just the cherry-picked 'success stories' showcased in marketing materials. Do your own research.

I wish I had discovered a certain 'expert's' Wikipedia page before working with her — not after, when I was burned and looking for answers.

Why With Love, Meghan is harmless (and boring).

This series is an attempt to rebuild Meghan's personal brand as a good mother, wife, and friend. Some people will eat it up. Others will use it as yet another reason to critique her existence. But in reality? It's just Meghan living her best Duchess life.

Let's not waste time being outraged over something so unremarkable. Instead, let's focus on the dangers lurking in the influencer economy: the Belle Gibsons, the fake gurus, and the self-proclaimed experts who do actual harm with real world consequences.

Mia Fileman is a marketing and campaign strategist, podcast host, and entrepreneur. She's the founder of Campaign Del Mar, where she teaches small brands how to market strategically and creatively. Renowned for her honest, no-fluff approach, Mia tells it like it is. If you want marketing insights without the BS, follow her on Instagram.

Read more about Meghan Markle:

• MIA FREEDMAN: '12 thoughts I had while watching With Love, Meghan.'

• Meghan Markle's new era screams 'tradwife'. The truth is very different.

• 'I believe in my soul that Meghan Markle is trolling us and I'm eating it up.'

Feature image: Netflix.