How Twitter Creates 'Fake Traffic'
This article investigates the perceived "fake traffic" on X (formerly Twitter) by comparing engagement metrics. It notes a significant discrepancy: a Binance YouTube video with 1.22 million subscribers received only 160k views, while a tweet from an account with 250k followers garnered 517k views.
The core explanation is X's method of counting "impressions." A view is counted each time a tweet appears on a user's screen, even if they scroll past it without engaging. This applies to the timeline, search results, and profile views, with multiple appearances from the same user also counted. This system prioritizes measuring exposure over genuine interaction (likes, replies), a practice also used by Threads and TikTok, unlike YouTube's stricter 30-second watch time requirement.
The article suggests this approach, implemented by Elon Musk to publicly display view counts, aims for maximum visibility rather than deep engagement. However, to counter potential low-quality content, X uses its "Creator Ads Revenue Sharing" program as a truer measure of influence. Payouts are based on verified user interactions (likes, replies from Premium subscribers) and content type, not just raw view counts. Additional features like "Bangers," which highlights high-engagement tweets, further help identify genuinely valuable content.
The conclusion frames high view counts as a starting point for creators, emphasizing that bravery in self-expression is the first step, but real success and monetization come from fostering authentic engagement.
marsbit12/23 01:16
