#followfarming and how it relates to #misinformation, #disinformation and #propaganda

Got it. I don't do this. Once again, specifically tell me why I'm on this list. Perhaps you don't believe that a woman with expertise in her fields should be able to accrue followers.

I also was put in this list. I am not a “farmer” or a spammer. I am a fighter for the resistance. I find it hard to swallow this but I’m who this so called “list” says I am. I call BULLSHIT.

So, when Bluesky offers “Starter Packs” to build followers - we aren’t supposed to use it. Also, this Mis/Disinformation account is using the same Bluesky tools to build its account.

I was also put on this list. Like, I can't help it if people enjoy what I post and put me into starter packs?? This list is BS, and just a way to try to silence us.

THEYRE doing exactly what THEYRE accusing us of doing. Just block them

Bingo 🎯 I was put on this dumb list too.

Do like I did and report the person.

It’s because…….Russian bot. You must have posted #TrumpStein

How do I block this bitch?

I reported and blocked

This ain't FB. I don't add friends or family. I doomscroll it like X. Many people don't understand what a moderator list is or does, including me. We're just worried about getting kicked off for no valid reason. Your follower count is actually a relief to me.

To be clear, anyone can make a moderation list and put anyone on it they want to. They're part of Bluesky's "stackable" content moderation. Only Bluesky themselves can actually take actions on your account, and moderation lists don't affect whether they will or not.

And, no, I couldn't possibly read posts from 6k+ people. But 90% (I made that up) of people don't post anyway.

Jesus! I’m an Emergency Medicine doctor and you’re putting me on a mis/disinformation list for POSTING MEMES after I’ve worked 14 hour shifts. 😂😂 Bro this is the height of fucking stupidity.

Having perused the list, I think it's a pretty impressive group of people and am inclined to follow a lot more of them. Thank you for the recommendations. Or is that missing the whole point?

The point you’re missing is that the list isn’t for the people on it. It’s for the ones who choose to subscribe. You can follow whoever you want but users of this list will never have to see it. Working exactly as intended.

And MY point is that instead of including low lifes who only try to get followers, you included professionals and activists —and perhaps a few losers. When I first joined Bluesky, I subscribed to a list like yours, only to discover I had blocked a respected friend. This list is irresponsible.

You’re free to create your own list, and you’re not required to subscribe to this one.

My point is I learned the hard way that such lists are counterproductive. I would never create one. As adults, we can block individuals as needed. I used to be on this list and asked you to remove me, which you seem to have done, for which I am grateful. You including me is the only reason I’m here.

If you have an issue with moderation lists *in general* you should take it up with Bluesky rather than try to police individual list creators. Your account is still on the list. Not sure why you thought it was removed, but whatever information source you used for that was wrong.

I scanned your whole list. Please remove me or I really will report you, which I would prefer not to have to do. I am not policing you. You are policing me.

Report if you wish, but your account belongs on the list because it fits the criteria and it will stay there. You are not being policed. You are free to keep using the site as you have been. This list simply allows people to filter out your type of account.

Please remove me from your moderation list. I don't fit any of those criteria. Clearly you don't follow my content.

It was correctly added to the list.

An irresponsible list. Do what I did. Report it.

I agree that "follow farming"is annoying, so I absolutely do not do it, and therefore resent being on your list. Sure, I follow some congenial starter packs--isn't that the original reason they exist? So sue me. As a retired professor, I avoid dis/misinformation. Please remove me from your list.

Also, hashtags are good ways to find people/topics that interest you. That's why they exist. Why ostracize people for using Bluesky's legitimate tools?

Why am I on this list? I am an opossum, my account is run by my human Mama. If someone puts me on a list, I am usually honored, but this thing? Do you have something against rescue animals? Or opossums in general? I guess you're just a mean person. This makes me very sad.

It’s because…..Russian bot!

Ahhhh! Makes sense now! Thank you! 💙💙💙💙💙

Spam? Lol? I am a grandmother with pigs who rarely even posts but sure. Ok.

*pugs

Report this user.

Oh, I'm sorry I follow people and follow back, I didn't realize that was a crime on Bluesky... Nor did I think that having a fair balance of reposts, original posts, and memes was a crime. Ffs, this entire "moderation" list itself is misinformation.

No apology is necessary. This list is for its subscribers, not for you, and being on it won't interfere with how you're using the site.

1/ You replied by DM that I was a "follow-back" account without explanation of how you arrived at that conclusion. I follow about 10.4 K. Yet 28.4 K follow me. If it were a follow-back scheme, I would be following the same number or more than follow me.

2/ The other thing wrong with your self-proclaimed monitoring is that you add disinformation so that it's unclear what you're accusing us of. This whole blocklist is arbitrary, capricious, and defamatory. You should do the decent thing and take it down.

This is a Russian bot. #TrumpRapes #TrumpStein #TheListIsTrump

Very likely or worse.

It eventually blocks. You have to be persistent though!

I am a physician and public health practitioner. I often address mis/disinformation on health and climate science. I don't "follow farm". Why in the hell am I on this list?

I’m a nurse practitioner and I do the same but I’m on the list as well. From looking at other comments it seems like intelligent women are being targeted by this person

Could be. This account seems to think that if you follow "too many" people, you are likely spreading mis- or disinformation. That's a wild leap of logic. I'm noticing that very small right wing or pro-MAHA people are very likely to be misinformers.

Report the list

Russian bot. #TrumpRapes #TrumpStein #TheListIsTrump

Thats why , these lists are nasty scams.

I believe this account sincerely believes it is a valid watchdog. I obviously and fervently disagree.

I asked him if he is some troll with an agenda. So he blocked me . No shit.

So

Your judgement as to who is added to your list is faulty.

A video for noobs explained the culture was to follow back. I quit chasing followers some time ago, but I follow back unless I have a reason not to. I only chase writer starter packs at this point as that's most of what I post about plus whatever crafts my daughter is doing. Anyway that's me.

I reported this dumb list. Who knighted this tool bag as the Bluesky police?

This is basically asking "why do moderation lists exist?" so I guess the answer is Bluesky. Kind of surprising that so many don't understand that.

You put me on a list for engaging or supporting Vance. I tried looking for when that happened, didn't find anything. Please clarify.

Not sure what there to clarify beyond the list's description. If you're having trouble finding it, it's probably a reply. The first two levels of replies will trigger being added to the list.

No, it doesn't exist. I've not ever interacted with Vance's account.

If that's the case, or if whatever caused it to be added has since been deleted, it will eventually drop off. I run a list cleanup about once a month that looks for removals.

I don't delete my messages unless I've drastically miswritten something. Check for yourself.

Same applies to any repost/quote/like that is later removed. So if none exist anymore, the next time the cleanup runs you'll drop off the list.

So I was put on because of bad programming? Why have the list at all if it's so unreliable?

The programming is fine, but the list isn't instantly updated because the API doesn't provide a lightweight way to do that. So that procedure runs less often.

To be clear, in this context "follow farming" is being used to include all NAFO accounts and hashtags. In other words, being anti-fascist and trying to help fundraise to save lives and prevent genocide gets you put on this list.

Not all of them. Just the ones that are using them to mass-follow. Those hashtags, unfortunately, get abused by follow-farmers.

So what did I post today that you claim involved mass following or follow farming? I mostly ignore my follower count. Most of my posts today were, as usual, about fundraising.

The list doesn't scan posts. It looks several things but mostly follow behavior. The activity doesn't have to be recent for it to be picked up. But following several thousand other accounts is one of the factors considered. More information here: bsky.app/profile/tale...

So, being polite and following people back. Whatever.

I only ever use hashtags to ensure my posts appear in specific custom feeds.

Agreed. This insult angers me. Seems to be someone or something that is against what this app is for - building a network to share info on the fascists with fellow fighters. Well they (or it if a bot) can learn to scroll. I’m not changing.

The list is for its subscribers, not for the ones on it. If you're on this list, you're not being asked to change anything about how you use the site. That's why there's no notification sent when you're added.

Well I got a notification and I'm pretty pissed about it. I have never "follow farmed" and have, in fact, asked to be taken off lists and starter packs. If I use a hashtag it to help the content get to the proper group. You need to reassess. Everything.

Yes, I got it too and am also pissed. Maybe we should all report that arrogant Tales for spam. I think I will inquire further about who this fool is.

I did report him. Maybe if enough of us do, something might happen 🤷

FYI regarding mass reporting, considering how many times people come here to say they reported this account or one of its lists… bsky.app/profile/safe...

I went to my profile menu, and at the bottom there is a feedback button that takes you to a reporting form. I jsaid I found this arrogant person irritating enough to make me leave bluesky, and I thought bluesky users were kinder. I said there are others who were targeted who are also angry.

Feel called out I do, I just like follow packs and finding peeps that are cool x3

I do t understand what this is about. Are you adding me to a list or offering me a list?

You’re a disgusting human. Seriously. Get a life.

Sounds like you have a lot of time on your hands.

Why am I on this list? I don’t follow farm and don’t even know what the hell that is!

I’m still confused. I got one of these two weeks ago and made the mistake of clicking on it.. Now I get 50 a day, supposedly from different people. HOW DO I STOP IT??? Неу Сhаmрiоn 🏆 Уоu’vе bееn nоtiсеd bу thе Вluе Ѕку сrеw 🧠 Тар thе linк & еnјоу уоur wеll-еаrnеd ѕurрriѕе 🎁 👉 get-badge.info/now

This account never sends unsolicited DMs, so whatever that is came from somewhere else.

Any idea what to do about it?

Not sure, apart from reporting/blocking the conversation. You could also change your DM settings to only allow them from people you follow.

Where are my DM settings? Not under the settings gear. Not under the 3 bars. What an I missing?

Go to Chat. There's another gear icon in there.

I’m confused. Why was I added to this list? @thepurplebauer.bsky.social has added you to the "Junk accounts Resisters don't want to be bothered by" moderation list bsky.app/profile/did:...

I agree with your principles on follow farming but you need to not put Palestinians on these lists. They are following so many people because they are desperate to be seen so they can survive genocide. Please remove @itsmeio.bsky.social from your list & any other Palestinians trying to survive

The list doesn't only track follow farming. Spamming mass follows is also highly inauthentic behavior (even when well-intentioned). The situation in Palestine is horrific, but the best way for an honest person to not be on a list like this is to operate in a way that doesn't look scammy.

Ok now that the angry quote posts have subsided, I can talk a bit about how to try and separate mutual aid efforts from the spam. It's not simple, but I think it can at least be improved even if it will never be perfect.

What would be great is if someone were maintaining a reliable list of accounts that could be used to exclude Palestinians needing help from being flagged. I'll look for one, but will accept recommendations!

Why are people like you such killjoys? Some of us are here for the joy of camaraderie. Your "suspicion" is just gross. Just because not everyone here is trying to make money - some of us just want to know there are other people out there that don't like what's happening. Get over yourself.

Not sure why this is such a big deal to you. All you have to do is *not* subscribe to the list and carry on with your life.

Not when you are singling people out. You put me on the list for what reason?

Your account is on the list because it's been farming followers. It's mostly automated and nobody is singled out.

I am definitely not farming followers. You are ridiculous.

What are you talking about? I have no idea what you mean by "farming followers". You are ridiculous. I follow people I find interesting. Sometimes they follow me back, sometimes they don't. If someone follows me, I check them out and sometimes follow back. wtaf

This list doesn't prevent you from doing any of that. Answers to questions about follow farming are already available so I won't repeat them here.

So I don’t do any of that. I never use hashtags, ever. I’m not following tons of people. You are unfairly targeting people, and it’s gross.

And I am on this list because? You hate cats? Do you need help dear? Do you need help finding mental health care? DM me. What type of insurance do you have?

Go for it

Interesting you would add me here.