Mmmmm, SPAM.

It was inevitable that when social media overtook emailing in popularity, the spammers would follow suit and target a new outlet. With advanced filters, spam mail hasn't become nearly as annoying as it was back in the early days of email. Social media spamming, however, has the potential to be the newest thorn in our sides.

While I know this is technically a communications tactic, my personal opinion is that spamming has to be one of the least effective ways to connect with an audience. Sure, annoying commercials have a tendency to stick in our heads, but annoying spams just end up in the trash, unread.

Smart social media networks do as much as possible to prevent this from happening. Below is my "Spam Report Card" for my favorite social media sites. Some are doin' it right, some... not so much.


FACEBOOK A- With formal methods available like creating Fan Pages, Applications, and other such additives, spamming doesn't make sense for most companies. Another bonus: when posting a link you are asked to identify your validity, eliminating the possibility for rogue links. One negative: the bout of viruses infecting profiles, creating fake status updates and wall posts for many users. Such as "CHECK THIS OUT: I JUST FOUND MY CRUSH" and then a link. Annoying, but as far as I can see, hasn't happened as of late. Facebook is quick to fix these glitches.

TWITTER: A Twitter has been fairly immune to spamming, however lately more and more Twitter handles are being created solely to "follow" users with a spam message. These messages are anywhere from the usual "win a free Kindle" type messaging from obscure sources, to legitimate companies spamming their products and coupons. The nice thing about Twitter is, if you don't click "follow back" to any of these handles, you are nearly uneffected.



MYSPACE: C- MySpace has been pretty spam-filled from the start, at least in my experience. There is a consistancy of new "friends" being created as a front for spam messaging. If you don't immediately protect your wall to be private, it too will be filled with spam messaging. Similar to Facebook's temporary problem, viruses are prominent, creating fake wall posts from you to your friend list. One plus is that MySpace seems to be as quick as possible to remove profiles that are created for spamming purposes.


Any others doing it right? Or others that are far from spam proof?