Facebook Groups: Keeping Out The Spammers

Tips For Facebook Group Admins: Spotting a Facebook Group Spammer

 

Facebook groups are incredibly popular to those of us that like the idea of community with “like-minded” people. However, spammers also like the idea of infiltrating groups, and keeping out a Facebook group spammer can become a full time job.  I run a community Facebook group for a great neighbourhood The Beach(es) in Toronto, of course called The Beaches, Toronto with over 12,300 members and over 3,000 blocked people (98% spammers). I’ve become quite good at recognizing a fake Facebook profile used to spam groups. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before you approve a person into your group, go ahead and click on their name and study their Facebook profile for a bit. We’ll use my most recent spammer that sent a request to join my Facebook group today as an example.

 

Meet Cassandra Higgins:

 

 

1) At first glance the red flags are glaring.  Today is July 22 and this account was created July 7th (new accounts are always a key indicator)

2) She works as a Dental Hygienist at Dental Office (no company given)

3) Her profile picture is perfect, isn’t it?

 

When I reviewed her profile closer it became clear she was a spammer account:

 

 

 

When I used Google images to search her profile picture as well as her “fun in Yorkville” picture they brought up the following:

Profile picture was actually taken by a photographer overseas, the Yorkville picture is used on many different sites:

 

Tips to keeping your group free of spammers:

 

• You must use your settings to controlling your group member requests. There are 2 settings to choose from: “Any member can add or approve members”, or “Any member can add members, but an Admin must approve them”. Always use the latter. This allows you as the Admin of the group the opportunity to keep out spammers. With this setting enabled you will see requests from people wanting to join your and you’ll have an opportunity to check them out before adding them.  Creepy, yes.  A must however to keeping out Facebook group spammers.

 

 

 

•  Many Facebook group spammers will be part of 100’s or I’ve seen some in 1,000’s of groups.  If someone is a member of more than 50 groups, be sure to check out the rest of their profile for further red flags.

 

 

• If they live in Vietnam, Bangladesh, Algeria, Saudi Arabia or any other country foreign to yours, they could be a Facebook group spammer.  Especially if you’re a local veterinarian group or neighbourhood community that would hold no relevance to this persons’ country that they reside in.
  
  

 

 

• If their profile is in bold, it means they’ve either blocked you (the Admin) or their Facebook profile has already been deactivated.  This is a no-brainer block.  Likely a Facebook group spammer.

 

 

• If they have a business as a profile picture or as a name, chances are they are just requesting to join your group to promote their services and not engage with your community, which would make them a Facebook group spammer.

 

 

• If they have no interaction on their profile from friends … “likes” or comments.  Just crickets, chances are it’s a spammy account.  Especially when it has to do with puppies!  Nobody can resist a post about a puppy!  Without a doubt, a Facebook group spammer.

 

 

No single tip means an account is not a legitimate one.  And gut instinct is typically something you can go with.  My tips don’t mean I’m a perfect Admin and yes, sometimes I’ve banned people in error.  I think my groups (I have a few with over 10,000 members) function quite flawlessly as far as keeping spammers out, so these tips should assist in helping you as a group Administrator.

I hope this blog can contribute to veterinarians, business owners, or anyone in the role as group Admin making better use of your groups on Facebook.