The 'The Winner of This Contest Was Chosen Through Likes' meme serves as a sharp satirical critique of the modern 'like-to-win' contest model prevalent on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. It highlights the common frustration where high-quality, professional entries are overlooked in favor of participants who simply have a larger social media following or better networking skills. The template is widely used by artists, photographers, and hobbyists to vent about the perceived unfairness of public voting systems that prioritize engagement metrics over genuine talent. It usually depicts a subpar result winning a prestigious award, symbolizing the shift from meritocracy to popularity in the digital age.