Spam Seeps Into Social Networks
| posted by Marc HausmanLike an invasive species, spam continues to creep into social communities with the goal of destroying the trusted bond that exists between members.
I participate in a number of vertical social networks that cater to public relations, social media and marketing professionals, including Gooruze, Sphinn, MyRagan and Brandweek’s At the Roundtable. I get value from the high-quality user-generated content produced by these communities, as well as establish professional connections that support Strategic Communications Group (Strategic) success.
There is an assumed level of trust in messages exchanged between members in these communities, even when a personal connection has yet to be established. I’m afraid that’s now eroding.
Several weeks ago the comments function on my blog on MyRagan.com began to be peppered with spam for offshore gambling operations. And just this morning I received this message in my Gooruze Email inbox:
rejoice_dokie@yahoo.com
My name is rejoice i saw your
profile today at (gooruze.com) and i love it,i think we can make it together,
therefore i would like you to contact me back throug my email address
thus:(rejoice_dokie@yahoo.com) i will tell you more about myself and i
will also send you my photo as soon as you contact me back.Hopping to
hear from you soonest, UNDERSTAND THAT LOVE IS
ONE, Bless WITH LOVE AND TRUST Thanks and God
bless you,Hope to hear from you soonest.
rejoice
Reply me back so that i can send
you my picture for your to know me thanks. (rejoice_dokie@yahoo.com)
Are the creators
and/or administrators of the social community responsible for weeding this
out? Or do we as members of the
community have to take ownership?
This is a tough issue, yet one that needs to be addressed. Ultimately, the trust, credibility and viability of social networks depend on it.
