Welcome 2014! As our first episode of 2014, we talk about a not-so-secret multi-million dollar business. The business of fake Facebook likes and Twitter followers.
The CBC reported that celebrities, businesses and even the U.S. State Department have bought bogus Facebook likes, Twitter followers or YouTube viewers from offshore “click farms,” where workers tap, tap, tap the thumbs up button, view videos or retweet comments to inflate social media numbers.
Since Facebook launched almost 10 years ago, users have sought to expand their social networks for financial gain, winning friends, bragging rights and professional clout. And social media companies cite the levels of engagement to tout their value. So today, hosts Kristine D’Arbelles and Julia Kent talk about the ethics of fake social activity.
We want to hear what you think about fake social activity. Do you support it? Have you seen examples of it?
As always, you can post a comment below or on our Facebook Page, or on our Google+ page, or in our LinkedIn group, or on Pinterest, or send us an email at youngprpros@gmail.com, or send us a message on Twitter @youngprpros, @kristinedarbell or @kentjulia.