How to Deal with Bots without the BS
View your social media pages like your HOME. YOUR HOUSE, YOUR RULES. Don't like a follower or comment? YOU have the power to delete, hide, and block. Or - Use it to your advantage in the engagement game.
When it comes to comments that aren't malicious or inappropriate, let's take a minute to look at it as engagement 🧐 (wait, what?!).
Hear me out. When a random brand comments on a post, "DM us to collaborate," or a random page says, "Promote this on ______," you can respond with an emoji or a "thank you for the idea." By doing so, you just got two more comments on your post, and if you recall our last blog post, engagement is a big factor in your social media strategy. You used it to your advantage that they chose your page to comment on. Just don’t actually DM them to collaborate unless you KNOW that brand. Most of the time, it’s a scam.
When it comes to troll and bot followers, I have a personal strategy: I don't care about dropping my follower count if it consists of accounts that will never engage on my page.
This is a personal decision; some people love a high follower count, which is fine if that's your goal. My personal goal and the goal for my clients is to have a genuine community made up of real people and businesses who want to share, network, and engage with one another.
So, once every few months, I'll spend a little time and removing followers. You might be wondering how to spot an inactive, bot, or troll account. I actually tap into their page—yes, again, like engagement, it's time-consuming. But quality is built with time.
Here are my criteria for removing followers:
If they are an Amazon seller or are pushing Crypto, I remove them.
If they have content that is not aligned with my personal values (or are creepy), I remove them.
If they have 0 posts, I remove them.
If a troll comments on my post with something malicious or inappropriate, I see if they follow me, and if not, I just block them. I do this because it's my house.
Remember, your social media pages are an extension of your brand and your personal space. You have the right and the power to curate your audience and protect your online environment. By strategically managing your followers and comments, you can foster a genuine, engaged community that aligns with your goals and values.
Benefits of a Clean, Engaged Community:
Maintaining a clean and engaged community on your social media pages isn't just about aesthetics or vanity metrics. It has tangible benefits for your brand, your content, and your overall social media presence. Here are some of the key advantages:
Increased trust and credibility
When your followers see that you have a genuine, active community that interacts positively with your content, they're more likely to trust your brand and perceive you as a credible authority in your niche. This trust can lead to higher conversion rates, loyal customers, and valuable word-of-mouth recommendations.
Higher engagement rates
A clean, engaged community is more likely to interact with your posts, leave meaningful comments, and share your content with their own networks. This algorithmic engagement signals to social media platforms that your content is valuable and relevant, which can lead to increased reach and visibility for your posts.
More meaningful interactions
When you cultivate a community of genuinely interested and invested followers, you open the door to more meaningful interactions and relationships. These followers are more likely to provide valuable feedback, share their experiences, and engage in constructive conversations that can help you improve your products, services, and content.
Better insights and feedback
An engaged community is a goldmine for insights and feedback. By listening to your followers and analyzing their interactions with your content, you can gain a deeper understanding of their needs, preferences, and pain points. This information can help you refine your social media strategy, develop targeted content, and make data-driven decisions for your brand.