Spot fake social media accounts
Disinformation is often spread using fake social media accounts. The Better Business Bureau recommends these tips for spotting fakes:
- Check the profile photo. Do a reverse image search to see if the profile photo has been copied from somewhere else online.
- Look for recycled images. Fake accounts often fill their feeds with stock images and memes. If there are no original photos, you may be dealing with a fake.
- Look for typos. Many spelling or grammar mistakes can be signs of a fake account.
- Look at the account profile. Is it very new? Does it contain details about the person? If not, be wary.
- Look for the verified badge. Some social media platforms have a verified badge, like the blue check on Instagram. If the person you want to follow is famous or influential, look for the verified badge on their profile.
- Look at the engagements. Account owners can buy fake engagement. If the comments seem random, contain only emojis, or all come from one person, the engagement may be artificial.
- Look at the follower-to-engagement ratio. Account owners can also buy followers. If an account has thousands of followers with very little engagement, it’s likely fake.
- Beware of polarized political opinions. If an account posts only one-sided political views, and never reveals information about the person posting, it may be a fake intending to mislead.
Source: Better Business Bureau, How to Spot a Fake Social Media Account
This page content is from: https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/online-disinformation.html#2c
