Like Farms on Facebook
@GardenGerty (169406)
United States
November 13, 2016 9:23am CST
I feel a little like a dumb bunny. I do not go through Facebook and when they say "like this poor sick person and share. One like is a prayer, one share is an amen". No one dies from lack of shares.
I do not like, share or respond to the posts that say "Like this post and in three days God will solve your money problems" Hey, you and I both know God is not an ATM.
I do not like and share the ones that say "This person is 102 years old, can they get 102 likes.?"
Occasionally I will respond to one that says "I am a teacher and I want my students to see how far their information will go and how fast. Like, share and tell where you are. I do not do that often.
There is a brand new to me phenomena, I would like insight from wiser persons than I am. Persons like @Owlwings, @topffer @JJ or anyone who has had the experience. On Facebook an item will come up, say a new modular home, or a boat, or even a $500 shopping spree. You like and share to be entered to win. Are these sweepstakes real? Or am I just exposing myself more by responding. I have only entered for a free meal, and then for an Aldi shopping spree.
How can I tell if these are real contests?
12 people like this
10 responses
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
13 Nov 16
My impression is that most of them are fake.
I first look closely at the name of the page I am being asked to like or share. Some 'clever' people make the name look very like a genuine page by using alternative or extra characters. One (whose real name I don't recall) fooled many people by simply adding a full-stop to the end of the real name. For example, if the genuine page had been "Subaru", the fake page would have been called "Subaru."
I then go to the genuine website of the company and look for any promotional message. If I can't find one, then I consider the offer to be fake and either report it to Facebook or just ignore it.
Of course, the genuine ones are not 'contests' but lotteries, pure and simple, and designed to attract interest and probably to gain some insight into the demographics of the potential market. The fake ones are nothing more than 'Like Farms', the object being to get as many likes as possible, either so that the page can be sold (possibly changed to something completely different) or to gain 'followers' who will then be eligible for further spammy posts.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
13 Nov 16
I learned something here. I have never understood the point of Like Farms. I will have to pay closer attention and also go to websites IF the contest interests me.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
14 Nov 16
I see them,, but cant see how they are real, can you imagine the nightmare of tracking and finding those people who shared it to even see who the winner is? I can't
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
15 Nov 16
I had not really thought of that. I know that although some originate regionally it is impossible to keep them that way. We have friends around the world who like and share our stuff.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
13 Nov 16
I would expect the majority to be real, but with a vast number of people involved the chance of winning would be minimal. You would have a much chance entering a competition on a cereal box and would be less likely to be inundated with spam.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
13 Nov 16
I know of one that is real, shared by a friend, but too much trouble to claim if I were to enter and win. Mostly if I want something I just buy it. This is my mind wondering and wandering this morning.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
16 Dec 16
i've seen those things.they're probably just collecting some kind of information.
i doubt you ever win anything.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
16 Dec 16
If it is something local you can check up on it, but no, I have never known of any winners.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
13 Nov 16
I don't waste my time with contests or sharing things. I bet God thinks these people are a bunch of idiots. He is not going to smite me down for not saying amen and sharing, it is like those don't break the chain letters!! I find it almost sacrilegious
.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
13 Nov 16
The only contest that interested me was a shopping spree at Aldi, and that prompted this discussion. Nope, God does not count your likes and shares, he looks more on how you actually care.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
13 Nov 16
Facebook is simply nonsense for the most part
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
16 Nov 16
I don´t get involved in them at all. I am only on there for Family reasons too. I have old School Friends that are on there as well but I have limited my time on there a lot now unless we get involved in a friendly chat but it does not happen very often.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
16 Nov 16
Most of the drama is beyond me, but so many of my friends keep posting these things. I knew I could get some good answers here and get my mind wrapped around it correctly. Very good and very experienced people on here.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
13 Nov 16
Have you ever heard of anyone winning those contests...no....This is not new, its been going on for a long time. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
13 Nov 16
I am pretty certain that most everything is fake. I am thankful that I am learning on here why people want all these likes. As one person said it is so the page can get sold.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
14 Nov 16
Interesting question. I'm not on FB very much so haven't seen that.
