Right & Wrong Ways to Get Follows & Likes

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6.2K followers
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The Right Way

When we receive Likes and Follows, as well as Friends on Facebook, we normally receive them from others who actually like what we've contributed, and it results in follows and being "friended" on Facebook, Twitter, and the like.

There is nothing wrong, that I can see, with requesting such at the bottom of an article, especially if the request is presented as a condition, "IF you like this, please LIKE," and so forth.

It's done all the time. I've done it in the past, and that is fine. It is certainly honourable when folks do it on their own accord when such conditional questions have not been presented. Either way, perfectly fine.

The Wrong Way

However today I got two of these...

Had this person done this once, I might not have taken notice. I have received these before by others, but it's uncommon.

Maybe it's just me, but I see this kind of stuff as spam. Why?

It's someone putting up such requests for personal gain. I don't see any other motive, though I might be mistaken. Even if it isn't, the best way to get these is through merit. Others like what you present ... and represent. It is something you earn, not something you panhandle.

Further Thoughts & Conclusion

I may have gone overboard, but I hit the Report button, something I do very sparingly. I'm wagering this person made a campaign out of this and I'm not the only one who got them. It's a classic case of "gaming the system!" It's unethical and abusive.

Let others decide when they award these things. Don't do it the way this individual did it.

You will have a much more respective following, even if it does take time. Trying to get folks to reciprocate by putting forth requests like this will produce inferior results. We should learn by the unscrupulous marketers out there! It may work for a time, but soon enough, it turns to dust.

Daniel

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Recent Comments

30

I completely agree with you :)

Very interesting thoughts Daniel - spamming is a curse and some people are very devious! Thanks so much for sharing.

Pretty mild compared to some of the stuff I've reviewed. It's really awful!

I just ran an ad on FB. I ran it for 2 days, and $10.00. It was an image and a statement that my website had updated its profile picture ( all done on my business page). I got many likes from people I've never met. So, I sent them friend requests. Seems Facebook doesn't like this. But, I spent money. They liked my page. They don't have to accept. I see nothing unethical. It seems more like asking if they liked my business page, would they like to get updates? Most people accepted.
Any thoughts here?

Yeah, they don't. I don't know what triggers it off, but be careful about friending too many at once. I did basically the same thing, friending people back who friended me. They will warn you if you do too many at one time. They have their algorithm set so regardless of who you are friending, friend or folks you don't know, you reach a certain cut-off poiint and exceed it, it could get your account suspended.

The way around it is to just do a few a day, maybe 10 at the most.

I am not a fan of Facebook and wouldn't use it at all if my family would just use email, but they've all abandoned it and the only way I can communicate with them without cost is by using the cursed thing.

Also, all it takes is one person to report you for a friend request that is unwanted, Facebook has been known to turn off your ability to do this.

Some folks may friend you and totally forget who you are - and then when you send them a friend request WHAM! It's all it takes. I found an article for you. Check it out :)

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/facebook-friend-requests-unwritten-rules-hidden-settings-weekly-facebook-tips/

It might differ from what I said above, but the gist is - make sure you know the person you're sending a friend request to. It doesn't have to be intimate, but everyone you send to must recognize you. I hope this helped and I've answered you in a satisfactory manner.

Daniel

It did. And you did. Thanks Daniel.

You are very welcome. As the article points out, not many know about these rules and quite a few people get banned because of it.

Great job Danie, but you always do a good job...Mac

I try to do a good job, but I commit errors and not always sure of myself.

I agree Daniel !

True, Daniel

:)

I agree with you, but I think is a much broader issue.

I agree that it is. It primarily targets affiliate links and related issues that surround solicitation, if this is what you are saying.

I do not ever expect someone to follow me unless they want to because I follow people because I want to not because they ask me to all the best Max

A lot of times you will find "Like Us on Facebook." and that sort of thing on websites. I take that as a reminder that if I actually do like something, to go on ahead and click the like button.

In this case, there is no substance behind it. As the request above, it is usually on a website that is full of content.

On WA, we have the system where we reciprocate with each other reading each others' content on their websites and participating, but then again, somewhere it instructs to choose those which interest you.

I have gotten requests in my PM inbox, someone asking me to review their content and leave a comment, likes, etc. I will do this, and I give my honest views on what I find.

I don't ask myself, but there certainly isn't anything wrong with doing it this way.

I agree it was just unsolicited in your inbox? this would be spam and multiple times is definitely spam.

But my question is did you also warn him? or explain to him what he did? many people;e don't realize and its understandable when every example of other websites is like that.

But if you explain why that's not welcome here, a lot of the time you can aid him instead of casting him out. if he's taking advantage sure. but I just know I made mistakes when I got here.

Just out of not realizing

Yes, I warned the person that this isn't the way it's done and is something you earn but I did report one of the incidents. However, this person is not new. He's been here and should by now, at least have some idea that this isn't the way you get likes, I would think. It would take several people reporting this to cause any evasive action beyond being counseled. This is a first offense, so far as I know, and I highly doubt he will be put out by any means.

I know we all make mistakes, and this perhaps is just that, however, even his ranking indicates that he's been active to the point where by now, it is likely he knows something about doing this.

right on. you told him then i think you did everything right. some people just try anything i gues

After I read your post, I got a little concerned that I blatantly copied and pasted those as they were. I went back and edited the images, blurring out the member's name and the links so not singling him out.

I would just like to help inform instead of cash. But as you said this isn't a new issue yeah that would be a great idea but meeting people like this out also keeps the community good for for all of us

You can be sure it predates recorded history.

Hi Daniel,
I sure wouldn't follow someone who is just collecting "follow mes" like you presented. I think you did right.
Bill

Unfortunately, many don't see it that way and think it's just an innocent request, so they comply.

There is a big difference between persuasion and influence. Both are used in marketing, but the latter is way better if you can go on those terms.

The very existence of Wealthy Affiliate hinges upon influence. Persuasion involves a "twisting of the arm" type of marketing, though it CAN be ethically-used therein, if it is used with the right motives.

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