Have you ever been scrolling through social media and seen someone comment on a post saying they can get a free phone or money? Or maybe someone who was commenting something controversial on a post? Chances are that it was a bot or troll. These accounts are usually harmless, but it can be tiresome to figure out whether the accounts commenting on the posts are real people or fake accounts. Let’s break down exactly what these accounts are and some ways to best handle these unwanted comments when you come across them.
What are bots?
A bot, short for “robot,” is a software program designed with specific functions or operations in mind. Bots created for social media complete actions such as commenting on posts and sending direct messages (DMs). These functions usually happen with very minimal human interaction with the software.
What are trolls?
Whether intentional or not, a troll is a person who engages with other social media accounts to stir up a controversial conversation or upset others in the comments section or DMs. It could even
be a past disgruntled patient. Their intent can be to spread rumors or misinformation, change a person’s opinion, create tension or disrupt the conversation. The tone of these trolls can range from derogatory and angry to provoking and inflammatory, and they do not want a genuine resolution to the conversation at hand; their main goal is to fuel the flames in the comments.
How to Recognize These Accounts
While sometimes it can be obvious when an account is exhibiting troll or bot-like behavior, other times it can be difficult to
distinguish whether someone is commenting about a genuine concern or trying to get a reaction. Two things to look for when determining whether to engage or avoid are anonymity and activity. If their account is missing personal information, a profile photo or any sign of who the person is, they are probably not an account worth interacting with. Similarly, if the account has no posts or bio and has a suspicious ratio of followers to following, it could be a sign that the account is not a real person.
How to Handle Unwarranted Comments
Online bots and people who leave unnecessary comments can be annoying and aggravating, and it can get overwhelming when figuring out how to handle them. When a bot or a troll starts engaging with your social media accounts, it’s important to take action right away. Here are some tips for responding to trolls and bots:
Ignore them
One way to avoid more bots and trolls coming to your page is to ignore them and not interact with them in any way. Trolls specifically are motivated by attention, so engaging with them will only encourage them more.
Hide them
Many social media platforms have a “hide” feature to ensure other viewers cannot see the comment. For example, Instagram has a “hidden words” setting where you can choose to hide comments and message requests that contain common offensive words or create customized advanced comment filtering to hide specific words or phrases.
Delete them
Comments from bots or trolls can make your posts look less credible or like spam, but they do increase your engagement rate — and your time is valuable, so this decision will vary for each account owner. If you have the time or staff resources, you can delete them to make your accounts look more professional.
Block them
Social media platforms make it easy to block users. If a troll or bot account is bothering you, you can block them so they can’t comment or engage with your medical practice’s account or see any posts.
Report them
Social platforms allow you to report other accounts if they are commenting abusive or hateful comments. If the social platform reviews the report and determines the account is a fake account or troll, the account could be temporarily suspended or banned entirely.
Adjust your privacy settings
In the settings of many social media platforms, there are sections where you can limit who can view or comment on your posts as well as switch the privacy of the account. Some platforms allow you to set up restrictions for specific words as well. If there is a bot or troll commenting similar wording or phrases on your posts, you can set up filters to automatically remove those comments.
Trolls and bots are commonly known for manipulating the conversation on targeted social accounts. Although these two types of accounts are mutually exclusive, both bots’ and trolls’ actions have the ability to alter the reputation of your medical practice by sharing or commenting on false information. Be on the lookout for these types of accounts and take action sooner rather than later.