Social Media content creation glitches

  • #1
DaveC426913
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Is see this frequently on Facebook (which is the only social media I frequent).

1702180686719.png


To be clear, what we are seeing here is a Facebook post, but it is a post that is a graphical image - a capture of a block of text (which could have just as easily been just textual content).

Nothing untoward so far...

But there is an additional element here: the graphical image has been corrupted - a few words have been obfuscated.

It happens far too often to be anomalous. It has to be deliberate.

My best theory is that it is an attempt to foil some sort of OCR* content scraper that presumably just grabs content automatically and reposts it as if it's their own.

*optical character recognition

I guess that makes sense, I just didn't know such bots existed. Although, now that I think about it, they would be inevitable.

Any corroborating or alternative ideas?
 
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  • #2
DaveC426913 said:
My best theory is that it is an attempt to foil some sort of OCR* content scraper that presumably just grabs content automatically and reposts it as if it's their own.
That could be repaired automatically by a spell checker or AI.

The damage appears optical, as if a black/white threshold had been set incorrect during the OCR, or a printer was short of toner or ink.

Why does social media text need to make sense, or be readable without misinterpretation?
Why cut off your nose to spite your face?
 
  • #3
The text looks like one of the genre of "I'm the only sane man in a world of militant strawman feminists / liberals / racists / jobsworths / other / [delete as applicable]" allegedly true stories that are almost certainly actually "inspired by real events" in the same sense as Hollywood biopics. So I wonder if the text is already stolen from Reddit or somewhere and the errors are weak attempt to prevent OCR-based checks for copyright violation.
 
  • #4
Ibix said:
The text looks like one of the genre of "I'm the only sane man in a world of militant strawman feminists / liberals / racists / jobsworths / other / [delete as applicable]" allegedly true stories that are almost certainly actually "inspired by real events" in the same sense as Hollywood biopics.
Frankly, I didn't even bother reading the text. Couldn't tell you what the article is about.

Skipping right to the end, you can see it's only a partial story, offered as click bait. I'm so jaded to this kind of clickbait on FB that I just automatically scroll past it - with a flicker of irritation crossing my brow as I do so.

Ibix said:
... I wonder if the text is already stolen from Reddit or somewhere and the errors are weak attempt to prevent OCR-based checks for copyright violation.
That's a new angle. I hadn't thought of that.
 
  • #5
Baluncore said:
The damage appears optical, as if a black/white threshold had been set incorrect during the OCR, or a printer was short of toner or ink.
I really don't think so.

Again, this happens so often - and so consistent in the effect - that it cannot be an accident.
 

FAQ: Social Media content creation glitches

What are common causes of glitches in social media content creation?

Common causes of glitches in social media content creation include software bugs, server issues, connectivity problems, and compatibility issues with different devices or browsers. Additionally, updates to social media platforms can sometimes introduce new bugs.

How can I troubleshoot a glitch when uploading media to social platforms?

To troubleshoot a glitch when uploading media, try clearing your browser cache, ensuring your internet connection is stable, updating your app or browser to the latest version, and checking the file format and size requirements of the platform. If the issue persists, try using a different device or browser.

Why does my content sometimes appear distorted or low-quality after uploading?

Content may appear distorted or low-quality due to compression algorithms used by social media platforms to optimize storage and loading times. To minimize quality loss, try uploading media in the recommended formats and resolutions for each platform, and avoid excessive editing or compression before uploading.

What should I do if my scheduled posts fail to publish?

If your scheduled posts fail to publish, first check if the scheduling tool is experiencing downtime or bugs. Ensure that your account is properly connected to the scheduling tool, and that you have the necessary permissions to post. Double-check the scheduled time and time zone settings, and try rescheduling the post.

How can I prevent glitches when creating live video content?

To prevent glitches during live video content creation, ensure you have a strong and stable internet connection, use up-to-date software and devices, and test your setup before going live. Close unnecessary applications to free up system resources and consider using a dedicated streaming tool or software to enhance stability and performance.

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