
Dubai Chocolate as a Symbol of Digital Belonging
This analysis explores how consumers use Dubai Chocolate to position themselves within digital networks, what they intend to express through it, and how they signal digital belonging and social status through consumption. The high demand for Dubai Chocolate is often disconnected from its actual taste and instead tied to a need for recognition and connection within online communities.
The core target audience for Dubai Chocolate is a young, digitally savvy generation shaped by trends and the viral spread of products on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. By purchasing a product that has been shared millions of times online, users signal both their digital relevance and their social awareness. Because digital trends often vanish as quickly as they emerge, showing up in real-time becomes essential for many users. Through social media, individuals stage distinction and currentness. This pattern of taste and preference is not random. Pierre Bourdieu describes it as a reflection of social class and group identity. People's choices in food, fashion, or art are not purely personal – they act as social markers. Taste, in this view, fulfills a key function: it separates groups, reinforces hierarchies, and reflects a person’s place in society. As Bourdieu puts it, “Taste classifies – and it classifies the classifier.”
Food, clothing, and music choices carry signals of belonging. Social media algorithms amplify this effect. Their goal is to keep users engaged as long as possible. Once a user shows interest in a topic – such as Dubai Chocolate – the algorithm starts prioritizing related content. This creates the illusion that the trend is everywhere and that participation is essential for staying connected.
Brands capitalize on this effect. Consumption has long been presented as lifestyle performance across social media. Companies like Starbucks and Supreme have made this the centerpiece of their marketing, positioning their products as expressions of digital identity. What matters is not just owning the product, but showcasing it. This leads to a snowball effect: the more people share the product, the more it spreads, driving more purchases.
Dubai Chocolate is no longer just a treat – it’s a cultural signal within a digital tribe. Those who display it online present themselves as part of a current lifestyle and benefit from recognition within their community.
The act of consumption itself becomes a performance. Especially with food, users often record their first reactions and share exaggerated expressions to make their videos more entertaining. The goal is emotional engagement and viral reach. As a result, the actual product fades into the background while self-presentation moves to the forefront.
This behavior aligns with Erving Goffman's concept of "impression management," where individuals carefully control how they are perceived online. Comments on such videos reinforce the social feedback loop, with others asking where to buy Dubai Chocolate or expressing desire for it. The product becomes part of a digital event far larger than itself.
Henry Jenkins describes participatory culture as one in which users no longer passively consume content but actively create, evaluate, and share it. Dubai Chocolate exemplifies this: it transforms into a viral cultural object whose meaning only emerges through sharing and interaction.