Edward W.’s Post

Unqualified Financial Advice on Social Media I recently downloaded TikTok and the algorithm has given me lots of finance content It seems that social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become very popular with unqualified 'gurus' giving financial and tax advice. It’s crucial to recognize that not all influencers are experts. Everyone should view these sorts of posts with caution. While these platforms can offer valuable insights and promotes financial education they also present a significant risk when individuals without proper qualifications give advice. Misinformation can lead to serious financial consequences. It’s important to verify the qualifications and experience of anyone offering financial guidance and consult with certified professionals for your financial needs. #FinancialPlanning #SocialMedia 

'Enshittification' - a term that aptly describes how big digital platforms are decaying. I find Cory Doctorow's analysis in the Financial Times a stark warning of how once-innovative platforms degrade over time due as they prioritize profits over user and worker satisfaction. Social media seems to be a vicious cycle that has engulfed almost every digital touchpoint of our lives. As Seth Godin remarked recently: “The problem with Instagram and Facebook is, you’re working for free to help them. They’re not working for free to help you.” #enshittification #digitalplatforms #humanityfirst https://lnkd.in/deg5Sbr9

Is Instagram gaslighting you? 🧐 In our latest editorial, QBR Technology Editor Isaac Moore paints a picture of the severity of the current fake news crisis by exploring the fundamentals of social media algorithms and how they are elevating the distribution of misinformation. Social Media's Role in Turning Lies to Likes calls out the problems with the programming behind our favorite social media apps, while describing the steps society needs to take to prevent the surreptitious spread of fake news online. https://lnkd.in/gEuub8Zr

This is not a political post, but it highlights a concern I'm sure many of us have about how easily votes can be influenced through social media content. This is not new news; it has been happening for a decent period of time. However, as technology advances, it is becoming even easier to influence people, often without any basis in fact. Given my background in marketing, I have a solid understanding of how social media works. However, many people scrolling through endless streams of content may not realise that the more they engage with certain content, the more it appears in their feed. If you consume political content that lacks truth, you'll likely be served more of it. Over a relatively short period, this can shape your beliefs and, worryingly, it could influence your vote on 4th July. Given this is a BBC News article, I would say that the BBC News is a pretty good place to start getting a well-informed view. https://lnkd.in/egxxyUtS

In Yasper Agency’s latest blog post, Bethany Lunt takes a look at whether ‘X’ aficionados should finally be flying the nest. I’ve seen a lot of commentary around this. For what it’s worth, I won’t be advising clients to switch off their X feeds. Yes, like many others I’ve been noticing some concerning changes to the platform and the content that is being fed through. But the tools exist to filter you feeds and block or report harmful content. The truth is, for many, they won’t even have noticed a difference. It does raise wider questions though about the role of a social media platform as a publisher. What I would say is that the views of the (relatively new) X management have been known for some time. Other prominent business people and corporations have views that don’t always align with our own. Yes, some take moral standpoints that affect what car they buy, what their fizzy drink of choice is, or what beauty product they use. But what, in my opinion*, we need to avoid, is virtue signalling. I’ve noticed my Twitter (sorry, X) followers go down by about a dozen or so (which could equally be attributed to my appalling gardening chat and Scilly spam). Perhaps it’ll be more a case of people moderating how they use the platform, rather than an outright exodus. #socialmedia #social #content #business #x *Other opinions exist.

In mid-July 2024, significant changes were made to X's algorithm, resulting in a noticeable boost for right-leaning accounts. This shift raises essential questions about the implications for content visibility and the overall balance of perspectives on the platform. In our latest blog post, we delve into the specifics of this algorithm update, analyze its potential impact on user engagement, and explore the broader consequences for social media discourse. I invite you to read the full post for a comprehensive look at how these changes might shape our online environment. Read more here: [Link to the blog post](https://ift.tt/9CTiv63)

A very insightful and well-researched analysis of the current state of Big Tech, in particular social media. It's a long, but very entertaining read. https://lnkd.in/gAs8fdmq

🧠 Critical Thinking on Facebook: Navigate the Supplement Seas! ⚖️ In today’s digital age, it’s easy to get swept away by flashy marketing and bold supplement claims on Facebook. But how do you tell what’s fact and what’s fiction? 🌊 This week’s blog is all about empowering you to use Critical Thinking to navigate Facebook’s supplement seas. 🧐 Key Highlights: 🧠 Smart Choices: Learn how to cut through the noise on Facebook and find reliable supplement information. 🔍 Spotting Red Flags: Understand common tactics used in misleading supplement ads and how to avoid them. 📚 Science Matters: Tips on prioritizing evidence-based content for informed decisions. From spotting misleading claims to knowing the right questions to ask, this blog will help you make smarter, more informed decisions. #CriticalThinking #BusinessInsights #FacebookMarketing #SupplementSmarts

The Democratic Revolution. Did you know there is that 5:3:2 rule for social media content, or 50 % of your posts are to engage, 30 % are to inform, and 20 % are to promote?🧐 With that in mind, it's time to engage - and this time engage internationally.🌍 Feel free to comment and give me your opinion on the matter and challenge my world view.🙃 - You can't lie anymore.🤷🏼♂️ Whether you are a leading politician or the CEO of a multinational company and find yourself in a scandal, the truth is the only way out. I spent some of the weekend watching old interviews with politicians and how they lied their way out of scandals very confidently. Today we know they lied because the facts are online.🤦🏼♂️ But I have to admit that lying was a good strategy... back then.🙄 These are the positives of social media and the online world that I want to highlight.🌟 There is something revolutionary democratic about the internet, as there is with AI now. You can't hide the facts.😬 When your prime minister spreads out on the sofa in a TV Talk Show and talks about how well he's doing - he's telling you that you're a lucky bastard who lives in world's best country - just surf the internet in the meantime and look up the facts.😎 So what about mid-2010s debates about fake news?🤔 Of course there is. Lots of it. But they gave you fake news in the 1970s and 1980s too - and you had no other sources of information to turn to.🤷🏼♂️ If we go back to the Middle Ages in Europe, everyone in the town was called to church and the priest informed what was up in society.🙄 It was the social media of the time with the priest as the one and only influencer.😳 That's the amazing thing about the internet - all the various sources of information and for you to read and interpret and challenge your perspectives. I'll write more tributes to the digital development going forward. Next will be how Instagram gave rise to influencer economy and made the world more open and fair by making it possible for anyone to make money. Stay tuned.

Such an interesting article about how TikTok is influencing financial advice. It’s fascinating to see how this platform is shaping conversations about money, but it’s also a reminder to approach internet-based financial advice with care. Here are my top three takeaways for navigating financial advice online: 1️⃣ Understand the motivations of the author – Are they sharing insights to genuinely help, or are they pushing products for personal gain? Knowing the "why" behind their advice is crucial. 2️⃣ Credentials and disclosures matter – Always verify their qualifications. Are they licensed? Transparent about affiliations? Look for those who back up their advice with expertise. 3️⃣ If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is – Financial success often takes time and discipline. Beware of promises that feel overly simplistic or exaggerated. Social media can be a powerful tool for raising financial awareness, but informed, personalized advice is still extremely important.