The Follow-Me Game On Medium

Summary

The author of the Medium article expresses frustration with the "Follow-Me Game," where users follow others with no genuine interest in their content, solely to increase their own follower count, and announces a policy change to no longer reciprocate follows from such users.

Abstract

The Medium post titled "The Follow-Me Game On Medium" discusses the author's recent observation of a surge in followers, which initially seemed promising. However, the author quickly realizes that many of these new followers are not genuinely interested in their writing but are simply looking to be followed back to boost their own follower numbers. The author points out that these followers often have an unusually high number of followers themselves and write on topics that do not align with the author's interests or content. Dismissing these individuals as "follower greedheads," the author declares they will not engage in reciprocal following and plans to remove these inauthentic followers from their own list. The post emphasizes the value the author places on authentic engagement with their "legitimate followers," showing appreciation for their support and interest in their content, and expresses a desire to foster meaningful connections within the Medium community.

Opinions

The author believes that many new followers are not interested in their content but are only following to increase their own follower count.
The author identifies two red flags for identifying such followers: having a large number of followers themselves and writing about topics unrelated to the author's interests.
The author views the practice of following back indiscriminately as a game they refuse to participate in, labeling those who do so as "hustlers."
The author plans to purge their list of followers who do not engage with their content in a meaningful way, indicating a commitment to maintaining authenticity in their following.
The author values genuine interaction with followers, including reading their articles, looking at their highlights, and reciprocating claps as a form of support.
The author expresses gratitude towards their "legitimate followers" and seeks to build real connections with them, suggesting that the quality of engagement is more important than the quantity of followers.

Sorry, I’m not gonna play

I’m a relative newbie here, but I’ve recently noticed a strong and sustained uptrend in my number of followers.

I’m sure it’s because of my stellar writing.

Not.

It used to be if someone followed me, I’d just follow back, no questions asked, including not asking the question, “Why the hell are you following me?”

But I’m sure that as many grizzled Medium vets already know, many of these people aren’t following me because they care about me or my writing. They are following me for one reason, and one reason only — to sucker me into following them back and racking up their follower count. And they’ll never read a single word I write.

Now when I check out my new ‘followers’ the first red flag is that they have a gazillion followers. Do I really think they’re ever going to read a word of what I write?? The second red flag is that they write about stuff I have absolutely no interest in. So why would I assume they’d have any interest in stuff I I write about?

I do not, and will not follow-back these collectors of followers.

They are hustlers. They are follower greedheads, interested only in accumulation of meaningless numbers.

artwork by ERA-7, DeviantArt

And to my current fake followers (not that there’s a chance in hell you’re actually reading this) this policy is not only forward leaning. It is retroactive.

I shall be purging all of you from my follower list.

You will be ELIMINATED.

But let’s look at some positive things about following, shall we?

I follow my legitimate followers each and every time I log onto Medium

I read their articles. I look at their highlights (to me this is the most interesting — it helps me learn their interests). And, of course, their claps, which show their support, just as I hope my claps show my support for them.

And I try get to know my followers so that we might share some space in this tumultuous world.

and for all of my legitimate followers, thank you so very much