The Reciprocity Trap: Why Mass Following and Like Trading Are a Dead End?
How “fishermen” and follower hunters are killing sincerity in digital etiquette.
Digital etiquette isn’t just about responding to emails on time. It’s about the invisible contract between author and reader. But what happens when genuine interest turns into cold calculation?
Recently, I discovered that my articles have become a hunting ground for “fishermen” and collectors of empty subscriptions. If you thought every like was a confession, I have bad news for you.
Recently, I discovered that my articles have become a hunting ground for “fishermen” and collectors of empty subscriptions. If you thought every like was a confession, I have bad news for you.
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| Image created with Gemini AI |
What happened?
The other day, I published a new article, and several people clapped. I always check who clapped. I always visit the pages of those people. I’m curious who this person is who liked my thoughts and decided to express their agreement in this way.I’m always pleased to know that these are extraordinary people: lawyers, writers, a lady who bakes cakes, a psychology professor… So many interesting people!
But this week, I encountered the “dark side” of Medium.
Like, but no follow? I’m taking my clap back
Usually people give more than one like because the platform allows it. Yesterday, I received a modest one like. I thought, okay, I’ll check it out. It turns out the person has 1,500+ followers and is a Friend of Medium. I thought it was interesting that someone with that many followers reads my article and finds it interesting. Very nice.
Today, new notifications appeared, and I decided to check. That author’s like turned into a pumpkin. He removed it. He removed it because I didn’t follow him back.
Today, new notifications appeared, and I decided to check. That author’s like turned into a pumpkin. He removed it. He removed it because I didn’t follow him back.
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| GIF from Tenor: Cinderella |
And then, someone unfollowed me, liked me, checked 12 hours later to see if I’d followed him back, and, offended, deleted his like.
Is this a follower farm?
I give you a like, you give me a follow. Debt not repaid? I’m taking my like back. You don’t deserve it anyway!
“Greenback” extortionists in private messages
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| GIF from Tenor: Bruno Mars |
Or take LinkedIn. I posted a link to my article, and someone who didn’t even bother to ‘like’ it slid into my DMs. He didn’t even introduce himself. Zero introduction, just a pitch: ‘I write about literature and art… subscribe to the newsletter.’
My first thought was: ‘Wait, if you’re so interested in my space, why didn’t you subscribe to me first?’ It’s the ultimate irony — searching for ‘meaning’ in art while completely ignoring the human on the other side of the screen.
The funniest part is that the message vanished as suddenly as it appeared. The author probably deleted it once he realized the ‘deal’ wasn’t happening. Lucky for me, screenshots don’t burn.
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| Screenshot taken by the author |
Secret Admirers
I have another secret admirer. I was sure this person reads all my articles because I always get likes from him. And always the same number. On any topic.
Yesterday I decided to check. I wondered if he was reading and clapping, so why wasn’t he getting paid? It turned out he wasn’t subscribed. So he can’t read my entire article; he just claps. It’s a way to attract attention. He also doesn’t follow me, and he has over 3,000 followers.
Yesterday I decided to check. I wondered if he was reading and clapping, so why wasn’t he getting paid? It turned out he wasn’t subscribed. So he can’t read my entire article; he just claps. It’s a way to attract attention. He also doesn’t follow me, and he has over 3,000 followers.
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| GIF from Tenor: The Simpsons |
Goal: simply appear in author notifications, drawing attention to his empty profile.
Fishermen
There are also writers who cast their lines. They follow me, and if I don’t follow them back within 12–24 hours, they unfollow. How cheap! |
| GIF from Tenor: The Fisherman |
Now I can imagine the quality of their audience. I’m amazed that it’s not a bot, but real people, engaged in such petty auditing. I wonder if they keep track of their accounts in Google Sheets?
I’m not a participant in a give-and-take scheme! My blog is not a marketplace where I trade likes or follows. If you enjoy my content, welcome home. If you’re just hunting for a ‘follow-back,’ this isn’t the place for you. I value authenticity over numbers. My blog is open to those who can read, not just count.
Unfortunately, I didn’t take screenshots of every ‘trader’ I met. But from now on, I’m starting a collection. Let’s call it a ‘Wall of Shame.’ Maybe it’s time for Medium to take a closer look at those who build their audience through manipulation rather than quality?
While others are playing games with algorithms, I focus on creating things that bring joy and benefit. My blog is a space for those who value sincerity, not statistics. And to ensure that a piece of this sincerity stays with you off-screen, I’m creating original merchandise. Perhaps you’ll find something useful there, or just something really cute? 🦝
How often do you notice “disappearing likes”? Have you encountered aggressive marketing in private messages, or do you believe that honest content can still beat the “you-for-me, I-for-you” algorithms? Let’s compile a list of the strangest attention-getting tactics you’ve encountered.
While others are playing games with algorithms, I focus on creating things that bring joy and benefit. My blog is a space for those who value sincerity, not statistics. And to ensure that a piece of this sincerity stays with you off-screen, I’m creating original merchandise. Perhaps you’ll find something useful there, or just something really cute? 🦝
How often do you notice “disappearing likes”? Have you encountered aggressive marketing in private messages, or do you believe that honest content can still beat the “you-for-me, I-for-you” algorithms? Let’s compile a list of the strangest attention-getting tactics you’ve encountered.
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