It was recently reported that companies have been wasting their money on getting people to "Like" them on Facebook. Independent security sources have confirmed some users on Facebook do not really exist and distribute spam and botnets with their virtual presence. These fake users can also be programmed to click on "Like" buttons on Facebook that are considered as credible indicators of user interest by many companies. These companies spend a fortune for boosting up the number of "Like"s and to attract the interest of people. Fake identity problem seriously undermines the advertisement value of Facebook.
Another problem for the companies is the fact that some users do not provide accurate information on themselves and such false statements mislead the companies whether their products are liked by the correct target groups.
Last year Facebook has announced that nearly 54 million of its users did not actually exist, which implies millions of the "Like" hits received by many companies could be fake. General Motors already withdrew its adverts from Facebook due to a loss of confidence in the credibility of its advertisement platform. Facebook is still trying hard to bring GM back.
Facebook is likely to suffer more headaches in the coming weeks regarding the credibility of its advertising platform.
These fake users can also be programmed to click on "Like" buttons on Facebook that are considered as credible indicators of user interest by many companies.
@Crytoman, I agree with you. Many of the accounts created on FB are fake and are created by the companies just to create fake likes. But the big questions is how do you verify these accounts ? I don't think its easy to isolate fake FB accounts with the geniune FB accounts.
For individuals, a fake individual may be spotted by carefully reviewing that person's profile to look for inconsistencies and unrealistic data. However, for companies investing a fortune into advertisements via facebook, this is not possible as it requires the review of thousands if not millions of profiles. That is where the biggest problem really is.
If profiles can be automatically created on facebook, this is a big security loophole that needs to eb addressed and resolved by facebook soon. Otherwise, its reputation will be seriously damaged.
>>Facebook is likely to suffer more headaches in the coming weeks regarding the credibility of its advertising platform.>>
Does that mean more firms would pull off advertising at the platform? Meanwhile, there are a few prominent ones at the forum --- Netflix has been doing aggressive marketing and also I think Netflix needs Facebook more.
More firms may pull out if they lose confidence in the advertisement related metrics generated by Facebook. However, in the meantime, Facebook will probably need to spend more time trying to convince its customers on the advertisement value of Facabook. If the companies (especially the ones that rely on "Like" metric to collect strategic user profile data) feel that they are pouring money into a bottomless pit with no real gain, they are likely to pull out.
It can ask users to supply their cell number and send a verification code via sms. User then key in this code to activate the account. This hassle process can reduce fake account to some extent.
You are right but wondering about Facebook algorithm with such anomaly with inability to detect ghost accounts.
@Wale, I agree with you. It would be hard to detect ghost accounts.I think facebook should come up solid algorithm which can do a neat job of finding the ghost accounts.
You are right. Facebook has a Big-BIg Battle up ahead as it tries to justify what it charges Advertisers for its Services.
It will be quite funny if this is what proves to be the Straw that Totally breaks the Camels back here.
Can you imagine a situation where,Analysts become more and more demanding of the Company Management(that they Monetize User Data) and then they say all the Data they have is Fake!!!
Well, that's what happens when you go for the payday and not the best interest of your user base. They are now feeling the wrath of the market. Especially since they did not necessarily have a real strategy going into the IPO.
True. But from a marketing standpoint, their objective is to do all that they can to get you to continue playing. That makes it tough, especially when the social aspect is put into the mix,
You may laugh but I know a few people that do just that. The names are similar and they keep the same friends. It's tougher for the friends to know which is which compared to the original person managing it all. Ironic huh.
Don't be so sure! I know so many people personally;who know all Ins and Outs of FB but when you ask them General questions about the Internet they are LOST!!!
That is a good point. There are many grandparents on FB.
But my thought process is that if they can get to the site, login, and share/post content, they have a leg up on so many people that do not even know how to use a computer.
but I know a few people that do just that. The names are similar and they keep the same friends.
@pocharle, that is really funny but it definitely works because you never know which is the original account. So we can say duplicity will increase security ?
"Last year Facebook announced that nearly 54 million of its users did not actually exist, which implies millions of the "Like" hits received by many companies could be fake."
As a total number it sounds big but in reality those fake numbers don't change the "like" image on a page unless they gather together and vote for a specific page (that is impossible) .
I see what you are saying but I suppose in order for this fake "Likes" strategy to work, it needs to be done in a concerted and organised effort. Therefore, all those fake IDs are probably managed by computer scripts and those scripts must be organised somehow.
As a matter of fact, since this is a business, based on the requests, the pages "Liked" needs to be programmable in such scripts.
An intentional design or a systemic error? May be a case of politicians who often like to say what people want to hear. Are social networking websites too adopting that, provide the Wall Street's investors figures they would like to know?
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