Buying "Likes" on websites.....

[Radchenister]

Luddites - nothing wrong with Facebook IMO ... I manage it wisely, keep in contact with actual friends/family dotted around the country/globe (I don't just friend someone I met down the pub once) and it saves having to actually talk to my ageing mother, as I pop pics on.

It does not make me buy anything and if a marketing person wants to look at my profile, I don't mind, they'll have to try hard to convince me to purchase anything - the number of likes won't seal a deal - there's nothing on there I need to hide from legit companies, so the only thing I'm wary of is who Facebook let set themselves up, if they're dubious but posing as a legit site, then surely this is a factor that's the same in any walk of life, either on of off the internet and needs to be dealt with appropriately (?).

Liking things like Team Sky, Team GB, Rutland Cycling, Bike Pure etc. has only resulted in positives IMO - I am interested in what exactly people perceive as the problem here?

 

[ufkacbln]

Liking something because they are good, have benefited you, is a good cause etc is absolutely fine

The problem for me is when they offer financial incentives to do so.... It just isn't healthy

 

[Radchenister]

Perhaps, although anyone receiving requests for a portion of a companies marketing budget will know that there are people after it via all angles, it is the way of the world now.

I wonder if it actually influences people's purchasing habits ... I suppose it might but then again, a fool and their money etc. Admittedly, I would agree it is a distortion of what we've come to expect the 'Like' function to be about; I doubt anyone is about to back track on the trend, so unless a statutory body is gearing up to regulate it, I guess it's up to us as consumers to be more wary.

 

[ufkacbln]

Firefox has a "Dislike button" for Facebook

One is almost tempted to "Like" and take the financial reward then "Dislike" to restore equilibrium

However I am not sure that is any more moral

 

[Chris Norton]

I have rapidly gone over to twitter more than facebook because simply, if I don't want to see what someone says then I do not follow them. My inbox is my own and I don't force any of the rubbish I like on anyone else as they have the same rights.

I am vociferous with my support of the company I work for and for all things disabled sport since the paralympics. But if you don't like what I say then simply ignore or unfollow.

Off for a ride tomorrow to make up for the lazy day today.

 

[Trail Child]

I am growing to like Twitter much better than FB since marketing on FB took over. But I stay on it since its my mum's number one way to communicate right now (she's deaf and can't use a phone).

 

[Silver Fox]

Apparently, as well as Likes you can purchase favourable product reviews. Which does make you wonder about the accuracy of some of these on-line reviews out there, especially those which appear on a retailers website.