I’ve been spending more time on Twitter lately (@michaelwroberts for those keeping score) after needing a break from Facebook’s incessant updates and Google+’s relative newness, and I had forgotten some of the humorous ways that people run their Twitter accounts. I understand that some people only use social media as a marketing means to support whatever online business they may be trying to push, but some characteristics of these accounts just scream out that these people don’t care about the social experience online.
I mostly come across these accounts as I look through my new follower list, so I’ve put together a list especially devoted to the odd accounts.
Automatic Reasons that I Won’t Follow Back on Twitter
- No Tweets – Come on, guys. You have 700 followers and no tweets in your account? Yeah, I know you can delete old tweets, but you never had a single comment in your account worth saving? Even worse, you may not have ever posted anything. #NoFollow
- Follow Me! – These are the accounts that follow 139 people and have 4 bajillion followers. (Yes, I’m getting really scientific here.) So, let’s see. You followed me… someone you’ve never met — even though you decided not to follow the 4 bajillion people already following your account. What’s the likelihood that your account will continue to follow mine a week from now? Like, 4 bajillion to one. #NoFollow
- I Didn’t Even Bother – These are the accounts that never took the trouble to change their background or change their profile pictures from the Twitter Egg. Really? #NoFollow
- No Description – This one is 50/50 for me. You don’t give yourself a bio line, but you want me to follow your account? Well, I’ll take a look at your tweets. If I can’t tell what you’re about in a glance, then I’m not interested. Don’t make perspective followers guess. #NoFollow
I think my favorite aspect of Twitter is the ability for users to really dive into their interests with people who are interested in the same things. When people just use Twitter for a marketing / spamming tool, it cheapens the whole experience.
Do you have other reasons for automatic NoFollow’s? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
