"I'm pretty sure I know the ones that will" - Facebook manipulation

[Primroze]

Is it just me, or are people who ask you to share their heartstring-pulling viral Facebook posts with the words "I'm pretty sure I know the ones that will" sinking to a new manipulative low? These posts are often about serious issues of concern, such as mental health and bereavement, but I'm convinced many of them are started by unscrupulous analytics companies identifying target markets for advertising.
AIBU?

@ComeCovidCloser

Deleted Facebook a few years ago and much happier for it.

But I too loathed those posts and always found it interesting that those who posted them were the worst offenders, I.e. against bullying, even though they have a trail of victims; mental health, by same bully who has caused untold damage to said victims; inclusion warriors, but are openly racist and think their homophobic or ableist jokes are hilarious. More often than not it is about gaining likes for the poster rather than the cause behind the message, 'ooh, look what a good, virtuous person I am, where is my like?'

Glad I don't have to see those posts anymore.

So true! Some of the vile bullies i've known are sharing the 'Be Kind', anti bullying, BLM and other social conscience type posts. For some, i'm sure it's PR because of their jobs. For others, I wonder if it's total lack of self awareness and they truly believe these memes are a reflection of their kindness. And the £5 a month they give to an African help a child charity qualifies them as humanitarian of the year.

@HostessTrolley

The one that’s getting my goat at the moment is on many Facebook selling sites with someone asking for individuals and companies to donate money towards the provision of hand creams and ‘pamper packs’ for ‘our nhs heroes and angels’. When you look at the profile of the poster, they are mlm ‘business owners’ all from the same company, so it appears to be something that’s being used as a sales/commission tactic - but they’re never upfront and honest about that.

@HostessTrolley and Angels is usually spelt Angles....

I only ever see these posts shared by people who are as thick as pig shit

Haha, so true.
I agree, it's manipulative bollocks often started by pages with dodgy intentions. I have never c&p a single one.

I ignore them, regardless of who is posting them, and I seriously consider unfriending the person who's posted them.

[quote lazylump72]@littlepattilou me too...14 friends doing bodyshop 6 doing avon 4 doing something to do with wax melts..ffs if I wanted that tat I would already be buying it! Thing is with these requests I know and they know they only want my cash yet I am too stupid to notice!! I question their dignity!!![/quote]
14? OMG!

So weird, how so many are being sucked into Body Shop at Home! Never known it/seen it before.

I don't mind Avon so much, (well I never used to, but I have to say I haven't had an Avon rep approach me since about 2015.)

I mean, never known/seen all this Body Shop at home before this year!

I hate them too , also the ones that say I bet I wont get a single share cos I am ugly with a picture of a animal or child with some mildly different looks /
And all the ones that say your birth month = this tea cup, balloon, star or other crap

While I agree - it’s not about advertising. Facebook is tracking everything you do online via the Facebook pixel. You liking certain posts doesn’t affect that.

@AlCalavicci

I hate them too , also the ones that say I bet I wont get a single share cos I am ugly with a picture of a animal or child with some mildly different looks / And all the ones that say your birth month = this tea cup, balloon, star or other crap

The birth month/maiden name/first pet's name thing (that gives you your line dancing stripper name or wotevz,) used to fill me with amusement. Until I thought 'ummm hang on, somewhere, my personal private shit is being logged.'

Maiden name/first pet's name/birth month etc, are sometimes questions asked as 'secret questions' to access bank accounts and the like.

So I have not done anything like that now for the past 4-5 years.

Over the years I had many posts appear on my newsfeed all threatening to unfriend me if I don’t copy/paste/share/turn my pictures pink/whatever. Funnily enough I’ve never been unfriended even after rolling my eyes and ignoring them. Pity really, if they unfriended me it’ll save me the trouble

Facebook is the new friends reunited isn't it

@oil0W0lio

Facebook is the new friends reunited isn't it

Yep! A huge brag fest (from many.)

I think just a little less of my FB friends if anyone posts this shit, tbh.

Yet another reason to add to my very long list of reasons why I do not use or engage with social media.

Why on earth does anyone sign up to join these appalling things?

I’m always so tempted to comment “Who are the ones that will share it then?” but I don’t dare. You are so right OP - horrible judgmental manipulative crap.

I disagree that it's manipulative. It's far too ham fisted and obvious to deserve that descriptor. Share if you think Hitler was bad.

Tell you another fb thing thats similar that gets me...Lost Dog ..please share with woeful picture of owner of lost dog from 2002 located somewhere in the Isle of Man! It just proves people dont read any full article just same shit circulation gover the years! Now I feel for sad owner and sad missing dog and if I see irt walking round leeds after the current pandemic ends then yes surely susan I will grab it and return it..be a bloody miracle if 19 years later said dog does cross my path but if you insist on me sharing and copyu and pasting to keep you happy well.....ffs!

Oh yes sharing lost dogs, cats or missing people. If they actually click on the link they have shared they’d realise the dog was lost in the USA about 3 years ago and I’m pretty sure I’m not going to find it. Or that actually the missing person was found 2 years ago. But no, click share, click share, click share.

So who are the 3% who think these posts are completely reasonable?

Occasionally one comes up in my feed, I start reading it thinking that someone’s taken the time to write about something they feel strongly about, only to see the “copy and paste if you agree!” at the bottom. Then I scroll on - if I’m being charitable then they might mean well but if I’m not it comes across as attention seeking bollocks by those who really wanted to post “See how much I CARE!!!”.

@ThreeTwoOneBlastOff Oh god, yes. I have a friend who does that, mostly lost dogs or urban myths. It’ll get pointed out that the dog was found 6 months ago or it’s a hoax and he’ll say “Oh I thought it might be the case but it was worth a share lol”. Anyone who uses ‘lol’ as punctuation will be first up against the wall come the revolution.

People still use Facebook?
Yes.
HTH

@Notanotherhun

People still use Facebook?

That is such a ridiculous comment!

Yep when I see those I instantly snooze the person responsible!

@KitchenFairy

I only ever see these posts shared by people who are as thick as pig shit.

This is the truest thing ever.

@TheRebelle

There’s one going around at the minute that says something like “don’t be offended if I didn’t tag you but I tried to pick people who would be fun” then goes on to talk about lifting each other’s self esteem, the irony seems to be lost on some people

Like the one when Caroline Flack died. All about being kind. Was so hard to resist commenting on the irony of that one.