Are YouTubers abusing Facebook to gain subscribers?
Facebook has served as a powerful social networking tool for many YouTubers. Some use it to create fan pages while others choose to directly connect with their viewers using their own personal accounts. However, recent events have many asking, “Are some YouTubers abusing Facebook for an unfair gain?”
A YouTuber by the name of peachofmeat barely had 1,800 subscribers with only two public videos. The highest viewed video had a little over 100k views. Then suddenly his subscriber count jumped from 1,800 to over 180,000 in 24 hours. With poor video content and quality and no evidence of being featured on YouTube, many speculated that either a scam or program was used.
The examining of his recent video comments showed evidence of what is called a “bait and hook”. Peachofmeat used Facebook, likely a Facebook group of fan page, to trick people into subscribing to his account. The exact group, if any, has yet to be revealed though.
However, Jussttom brought another fan page possibly involving another YouTuber to my attention. This Has Got To Be The Ugliest Girl EVER is a Facebook fan page that promises to show a picture of the ugliest girl ever. Before you can see the picture though, you must first become a fan. Then once you join the group you’re asked to click a confirm button, but you’re told to make sure that you’re logged into your YouTube account.
Clicking the confirm button takes you to the YouTube subscribe page for iShatOnU. After seeing this I checked iShatOnU’s stats on vidstatsx.com. According to the dependable website, he has generated over 20k subscribers in 24 hours. Which sounds slightly similar to peachofmeat’s case.
Now keep in mind, this isn’t proof that iShatOnU is using Facebook to gain subs. It’s proof that the use of a Facebook group is increasing his subs, may it be him or a fan trying to help him out. Also, incase you were wondering, the group does fulfill its promise, and yes, the chick is really ugly.
A review of YouTube’s TOS seems to suggest that this isn’t wrong. However, many YouTubers would say it’s morally wrong. Of course the counter argument is that they’re real people with real accounts, they’re not forced to subscribe, and they can easily unsubscribe if they want to. Do you believe this is wrong or do you think this is an innovative way to gain subscribes and promotion?
Update: iShatOnU stated on his Twitter that he had no doing in his recent sub count via the Facebook group. Seeing how he’s worked hard on YouTube and wishes to maintain a good reputation, it’s most likely this is true.
My name is Zachary James, but most know me as OutbackZack. As a dedicated YouTuber both on and off the camera, I seek to bring news and give insight on the YouTube community. While not working on PauseStopRewind, I entertain many with my insane comedy style videos. Also, many know me as an artist who has worked with various YouTubers ranging from Andy Warski to Shane Dawson.
aaron Says:
Personally, I think it’s wrong; it’s just deceptive and annoying. On the other hand, people who are stupid enough to join groups like that, just to see a picture, are lucky that’s all that’s happening to them. Something like that could easily lead to a virus or something way worse, facebook users need to get smarter, quick. Overall though, I don’t think it’ll really matter. Once these users realize that they inadvertently subscribed to someone, many of them will probably unsubscribe and the “youtuber” will have a horrible reputation, so it’s not like it’s really a viable option for becoming popular on youtube.
Posted on March 8th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
StavrosMike Says:
That’s really odd, but kind of fascinating. I still don’t understand quite how the facebook group thing works though. Is it link to YouTube or something?
Not that I would do that though. I’m just going to focus on making good videos and gaining subscribers the good old honest way.
Posted on March 8th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Lamarr Says:
I always find it hilarious when Youtubers bring up morality; many of them are morally bankrupt to begin with. What’s the difference between this and Shane Dawson tweeting or saying in a video, “Subscribe to WilsonTech1 NOW!” with my link. Guaranteed a few thousand ppl, if not more, will subscribe just because, without even looking at my content.
This is clever and yes, the people are choosing to subscribe. This isn’t a program bot that automates subs or mass emails everyone. I’m not saying I would do this, but it’s certainly clever, and not immoral, especially if it’s CLEAR you are subscribing to a YouTube page. Anything that isn’t clear is shady at best and should be exposed.
Nice article.
Posted on March 8th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Lamarr Says:
I just watched YouTube News by theWillofDC and I stand corrected. I thought it was CLEAR that you were going to subscribe. I had no idea the CONFIRM button auto subscribed you to their YouTube page.
YES, that is scandalous. Trickery gets you nowhere. Now, if on the page after someone becomes a fan and you ask them to subscribe and it’s CLEAR, nothing wrong with that, which is what I was referring to. I didn’t know it was this devious.
Posted on March 9th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Bobby Says:
I’ve truthfully come to the point where I stopped joining these lame ass groups. They are a waste of time.
Posted on March 9th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Loner4Life Says:
I suspect that, just like spamming, a lot of people will try this, hurting their integrity in the process. It’s really frustrating how some jerk off is always trying to cheat the system, bypassing the hard working youtubers. And I agree with Bobby. People join a ridiculous amount of facebook groups that have no discussion or real purpose. So the fact that so many people fall into this trap does not surprise me.
Posted on March 9th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
Joel Says:
I’ve seen that around and also i’ve noticed that some would actually join viral Facebook fan Pages just to do some self promo. I guess some people are super desperate hehe.
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