I love social media. I love using social media. I love helping businesses incorporate social media into their marketing strategy. However, I am very careful with social media.
Why?
Well, because there are all these so-called social media experts and gurus running around practicing bad social media.
You may be asking, “what is bad social media?” so first, let’s define it. My definition, since there’s no entry in Webster’s Dictionary, is social media done incorrectly or not by the rules; cheating the system.
Examples of bad social media are…
Running contest against Facebook’s Terms of Service –
Contests violating rules can be those such as “share and like to win!”, “tag and share to win!”, “photo with most likes wins!”. If Facebook catches you, then you might end up like this company from New Zealand who had their page deleted without notice. 20,000 fans gone.
Putting contact info on your Facebook Page’s Cover Photo –
This is just asking to be reported. Per Facebook’s Terms of Service, “Cover photos must be at least 399 pixels wide and may not contain: Price or purchase information, such as “40% off,” “Download it at our website,” or “Free Sunglasses All Summer Long.”, Contact information, such as web address, email, mailing address or other information intended for your Page’s About section., References to user interface elements, such as Like or Share, or other Facebook site features.,Calls to action, such as “Get it now” or “Tell your friends.”
There was an article posted by Mashable shedding some light that Facebook was starting to get serious about this particular violation.
SEO Gaming on Social Media Sites (aka Keyword Stuffing) –
This is a relatively new one. This sample was taken from a social media “expert”‘s LinkedIn profile. People have started to do this so search engines will pick up on the keywords. Well, Google and LinkedIn are cracking down on this and will blacklist anyone practicing this. It’s spamming for pete’s sake!
You are probably wondering what SEO gaming/keyword stuffing looks likes? Here’s an example from an actual LinkedIn profile:
“Social Media Strategist, Social Media Consultant, Social Media Training, Social Media Manager, Social Media Marketer, Social Media Marketing, Social Media Branding, Social Media Services, Social Media Expert, Social Media Coach, Social Media Speaker, Social Media Strategist, Social Media Consultant, Social Media Training, Social Media Manager, Social Media Marketer, Social Media Marketing, Social Media Branding, Social Media Services, Social Media Expert, Social Media Coach, Social Media Speaker, Social Media Strategist, Social Media Consultant, Social Media Training, Social Media Manager, Social Media Marketer, Social Media Marketing, Social Media Branding, Social Media Services, Social Media Expert, Social Media Coach, Social Media Speaker”
Side note: anyone who calls themselves a guru or expert is walking on ice. See my blog post why.
Some reference articles fo keyword stuffing:
18 SEO Killers You Must Clean Up and Avoid for 2013 and Beyond
Super Savvy Business Identifies Top 5 Common SEO Myths of 2012 That Should Be Avoided in 2013Social Search & Influence Games: Why Did You Do It LinkedIn?
Now that we’ve defined “bad social media” and seen some examples – why beware? Well, unfortunately some of these “experts” are teaching these things and doing these. New people and businesses to social media honestly do not know better and are putting their trust in their social media managers and strategists, however there are a large amount who are doing it wrong!
I would not for one instance trust my social media stuff to someone who practices bad social media. If you are a business and are looking into hiring someone to handle it, please ask for links to other accounts they are handling and their own accounts too. Look at what they are doing. Your business’ online presence depends on it. If you are a social media professional, please do not practice bad social media and if you are – STOP! It’s hard for those of us doing it right to go in and clean up the mess made by those who are doing it wrong.
Now you may be asking, so now what? Where do I go to find someone doing it right? Not every social media professional is doing it wrong. I know a lot of guys and gals who are doing it right. One example is the Social Solutions Collective. This is a group of ladies who are dedicated to doing social media right. I will be upfront and tell you that I am very proud to be a part of this group so it may be like a shameless plug, however our mantra is “Social media and social business solutions collective intent on doing social right.” If you would like other suggestions, please comment below or email me. I would be more than happy to point you to some other great people to follow.
I don’t want to see any business get their social media accounts deleted or blacklisted. We’re all businesses who are in this to succeed no matter what country you are in or language you speak.
Now it’s your turn – what are some bad social media practices you see that you would like stopped?
Lots of good points here. There are so many “gurus” out there promoting things that not only don’t work but will get you in big trouble. It’s always nice to see articles that remind people that social media and online SEO practices that violate rules will get you, your site, and/or your accounts shut down or blacklisted. So while there are lots of good ways to help your online presence don’t fall pray to the promises of quick and easy ways “guaranteed” to make you rank #1 over night.
Thanks Frank! I agree 100% with your comment! So many people fall for the “get seen quick” schemes.
Oh this is good, Mandy. A few years ago no one even knew the word “social media” and now there are gurus everywhere. What? Thank goodness professionals like you are around to help us learn the truth! Great post!
Thanks Liz! I’m trying hard to right all the wrong out there!
I love social media, too, Mandy and I am grateful that you wrote this post. There are so many pics cropping up on Facebook that have a “Like if you agree” in it.( not cover pics)…thought that might have been crossing the line….do you know if that is, as well?
If you ask people to “like” a status or picture if you agree with it is not a TOS violation. That’s asking for people to engage with you 🙂
Interesting examples. I agree there are many who state expert status with little to back it up. The proof is in the pudding as they say.
You are so right Kim!
Excellent advice that will surely help all of us! So glad to have found you to guide me through what is exciting and yet a bit intimidating …sooo much to know! Blessings!
Thanks Denny!
You ain’t whistling dixie, Mandy. To the discerning, the prize. Let the bodies hit the floor.
Thanks 🙂
Oh you said it Mandy, seeing this kind of stuff drives me crazy. People/businesses are paying good money to be led astray by “social media managers” whose only qualifications are that have a Twitter and Facebook account. Some of the people I know online have suddenly announced that they are “social media managers” and it just makes me shake my head because I don’t even see them managing their own stuff effectively. The problem is that it’s a wide open market right now and the demand is so high that people see it as an easy way to make money. I’m so happy to see you doing good stuff and spreading the good word about the right way to manage social media.
Thanks Jennifer!! You are so right – the demand is there so there are a lot people waking up in the morning thinking they can do this and make an easy dollar. There’s so much more to it.
Mandy, I have to tell you something. If anyone’s social media and personal integrity has impressed the socks of me is yours. You’re definitely not a snake charmer. You’re the real deal. Kudos, Mandy. You’re one of the few good ones left out there. Keep up the fantastic work! You owe your success to no one but God. 🙂
Thank you Johnny. I appreciate those very kind words.
Thank you Mandy for writing this post and giving so many visual examples. Thank you!!
Thanks Christy!
Thanks for the reminder Mandy! So many people abuse their accounts the lines can become fuzzy! Always great to read your posts!
Thanks Stacy!
Great examples Mandy! I also hate when I see accounts that have clearly purchased likes and followers. Like when you see twitter accounts with less than 1000 tweets of mostly broadcast promotional messages in one year and upwards 15,000 followers – so obvious and yes this account I’m talking about is a so-called “social media expert.” Thanks for helping point out what are some of the “bad social practices” to be aware of.
It is rather obvious, isn’t it? With sites like Fake People Checker, they can easily be found out.
Great examples and advice. It drives me crazy when I see businesses on Facebook violating the terms of policy. I hope some of these businesses find your article and take your advice.
Thanks Rebecca!
Omg Mandy, I can’t believe that is an actual LI profile with that blatant “keyword stuffing”! That kind of stuff is so annoying! I don’t like anyone that calls them self a guru. If you’re really a ‘guru’ let your work speak for itself! Great post!
Thanks Kelly! Sad thing is, I saw about 4 or 5 “experts” with profiles like that.
Great post and well written, Mandy! 🙂 What do you think about phone numbers in cover photos? The TOS doesn’t explicitly forbid phone numbers, but I think it falls under the prohibition against contact information. I had someone locally arguing with me about that, and I think it’s clearly a no-no (that “contact information” was specific enough)
My personal opinion, I would consider it a TOS violation. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
I always enjoy your posts, always so helpful and informative! Thanks Mandy!
I think what bothers me the most is that good people running small businesses are taken in by these so-called experts. So many of these rules are out there, or at least easy to find for anyone who knows even a *little* bit about doing social media correctly. Yet these small business-owners who are just trying to learn how to do social are picking up the wrong advice from the folks doing it wrong. I hate that they are the one who are left with the mess (almost as much as I hate going in to clean it up too!) 🙂 Great post Mandy!
Mandy, great info … for some of us it’s not that we mean to violate policies we just don’t know what they are.
Great information Mandy! Thanks for sharing the facts in a way that’s not only easy to understand but to implement. So many just don’t take the time to know what’s really true & correct; Appreciate knowing we can find that info with you!
Good for you for calling out the so called experts! This is why we live in such an untrusting society and are so sceptical…These people taking our money, doing it all wrong and creating a mess to clean up after…way more work than ever intended…Thanks for sharing what is right vs what isn’t!
Thanks Mandy for keeping us the right side of the road!
Wow, this is an excellent article for my knowledge but also to help me be aware of who not to do business with.
Great advice and examples given. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! I haven’t seen keyword stuffing like that since before the first Google Slap seven or eight years ago! I can’t believe what some people will do for a little attention.
On a more positive note, I love what you and the other ladies of the Social Solutions Collective are doing!
Wow…that example it crazy…how can anyone even thing stuffing like that acceptable…expert or otherwise? Great article!
Thanks for the information Mandy! I can’t imagine making some of those mistakes you’ve highlighted — but it is good information for me to have when I help businesses find social media experts! Now I know what to watch out for!
Great job on this post, Mandy!
This is spamming, pure and simple. Anyone teaching this type of social media is a spammer. Google, Bing and other search engines have adjusted their algorithms in efforts to curtail spamming. When LinkedIn finds out a user has adopted spamming techniques, s/he is banned.
Don’t be gullible. Use your God given brain. Do you want to be known as a cheater in the business community? Wake up! Come by your profits honestly. I, for one, will not have anything to do with any business who spams.
Let me get to the point for some of us. I am a Christian, a follower of Christ. Jesus did not cheat or has ever cheated on anything. As His follower, it would stand to reason that I, too, would follow the moral ethics Jesus exhibited. To do otherwise would clearly show that I am not a follower of Christ. Therefore, my faith (trust, belief) and/or Jesus Christ would be called into question in the eyes of my fellow human beings.
Anyone can call themselves “Christian”. The proof of the Christian faith is their action. James 2:17 says this, “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”
I ask, is spamming a good Christian deed? Would using spamming techniques exhibit the integrity of Christ? What does this have to do with Christ? For a professing Christian – everything. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 admonishes a Christian to abstain even from the “appearance of evil”.
Finally, would God Himself bless your spamming efforts? Would He get glory out of spamming business practices?
Folks, you might think I went off the deep end. Bear with me for just a second more, please. In some states, spamming is illegal. It is viewed with disdain in the social media and technical community. Is that the kind of reputation you want for your business?
How about this, can you say; “I’ve used spamming for the glory of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit? I have used spamming to advance the Kingdom of God on earth.”
For a professing Christian, it’s that serious. I call into question anyone’s reputation as a Christian who teaches spamming as an ethical choice in business. You should too. And if you follow anyone who does this, stop it!
Matthew 6:24 says this: “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
Either walk with integrity or don’t. If you spam or teach spamming, quit calling yourself a follower of Jesus, because you’re not.
I challenge anyone out in the open to show me that spamming (cheating and lying) can be defended biblically.
The floor is yours.
Great examples here Mandy. With Social Media, it’s critical to walk the walk in order to teach it.