Dealing with spam comments on any platform of your online presence is sadly a very common thing that almost everyone deals with. In part three of this blog, we are going to be talking about how to deal with spam comments on your social media pages! 
​
Hello readers and hello to our fellow Summerville businesses, residents, and friends! Welcome back to the Creative Consulting blog! We hope business is going well for you, and that you're working towards reaching your end of the year goals one day at a time! If you're not quite there yet, ask yourself what might be going on or getting in the way. One of the most overlooked things that can turn your business around is your social media presence. First of all, do you have any? Is your website skillfully designed and easy to navigate? Do you regularly post to your social media pages, do you respond to comments, emails, and direct messages promptly? Do you actually work on your SEO and Google ranking? If you answered no to any of those questions it might be time to reach out to us at Creative Consulting to help give your website a little TLC and truly give you the power that social media can provide. It's what we do, and what we are passionate about. We are also constantly dedicated to learning more about the social media industry to be up to date as much as possible to help our clients stay above and beyond their competitors! 

In part one of this blog series, we began talking about the impact spammers and hackers have on your social media and internet presence and focused on how to deal with them in blog comments. Today, we are going to be discussing how to deal with spam comments and potential hackers on your social media platforms. While so many think that spammer comments and posts on your social media can just be ignored and buried by other comments, it is not a situation to be ignored or a time to hope that they won't be seen. These comments, posts, and the presence of spam comments can be very dangerous and damaging to your company and your brand. Remember, social media can be an incredibly powerful tool for your company; it can help build it up or spammers can help tear it down in an instant. They come in the form of fake accounts, spamming comments filled with hashtags, links, and one too many emojis, and direct messages that are not welcome. It takes time to deal with all of this, but it is well worth it to avoid any malicious intent or harm to your accounts or your actual trusted followers. 

• Fake Accounts

No matter if you've been on social media for a few years or a few months, you'll begin seeing and recognizing fake accounts popping up constantly in your inboxes and asking for friend requests. This is something almost every user of social media has to deal with. While accepting fake friend requests seems harmless, they can actually hurt your account, your credibility, and lead to an overwhelming amount of unwanted direct messages. These fake accounts can also lead you to some very nasty malware and viruses. One way you can deal with this is to not follow back every account or person that follows you on social media. While following accounts and others back is a way to grow your account, that doesn't mean you have to use this tool. AgoraPulse recommends avoiding doing anything automatically, as automated actions are against many social media platform's rules. Doing repetitive or automated actions can pause or freeze your account, flagging you as the issue. This can prevent you from commenting, supporting, and even posting on your accounts. Also, block those fake accounts. While it is very tempting to reach a certain number of followers (like the prized 10k followers on Instagram), these fake accounts aren't doing anything for you in return. Spam accounts, if liked and followed, can lead to a mass amount of spam comments and direct messages. They can bury important comments and messages from actual important customers and followers, aggravating them and losing their trust when they're not responded to. You will also have to deal with constantly emptying your inbox, deleting spam comments, and dealing with the repercussions of your follows seeing them. Just like fake reviews, companies are out there that are paid to create these fake accounts to post these spamming (and sometimes malicious) comments and send fake direct messages. From a customer's point of view, this is not a professional look you want to go for! 

• Be Careful With Your Hashtags

Hashtags are consistently a hot topic for social media users, managers, and marketers. How many should you use? Which ones should you use? How often should you use them? While the use of hashtags and which ones and how many to use will have to be a blog topic for another time, for right now we will say to use them with caution and with dedicated practice. Some resources, like AgoraPulse, recommends that you limit the amount you use, while other studies say to use the maximum amount of 30 hashtags with every post. There is no doubt that hashtags can help bring authentic users and followers to your accounts, they can also attract fake accounts. A lot of fake and spam accounts will use hashtags to target followers to follow them. According to AgoraPulse, 8% of all Instagram accounts are fake. According to Statista.com, there are 909.8 million users on Instagram, making 72,784,000 of those accounts fake! Reducing your number of hashtags to reduce the attention from fake bots and accounts can be a huge help. Be consistent with your hashtag research, and use an appropriate amount to get the appropriate amount of attention. 

• Bulk Messaging 

Automated messaging has become very commonplace on apps like Twitter and TikTok welcoming followers to their page, inviting them to check out their latest deals, introducing themselves to the new followers, and adding an invitation to a website or a landing page. However, these come with a heavy consequence, and it might be time to stop using them and avoiding them if you can. This goes hand in hand with following fake accounts. Many fake accounts will use bulk messages that look legitimate to entice users to click on a site that will lead to a virus or other malicious landing pages. Bulk messages, if sent enough, can help false information to trend or go viral, leading to fake jobs and fake information to spread and overshadow actual and factual information that needs to be shared. On the other hand, if you use this as a tool for your company, it can be very annoying to your real followers and potential customers. They want to follow you, but that doesn't mean they want a bunch of direct messages filling up their inboxes. Bulk messages can prevent you from seeing important messages and opportunities in your inbox, too! 

• Comment Moderation 

Just like we talked about in our first blog of this series, you need to be vigilant in monitoring your comments as best as you can. First off, be very responsive to comments and messages that are not spam, keeping this open communication with your followers is imperative. If you see a spam comment or a comment you believe is spam, go ahead and delete it. For accounts that receive tons of spam comments, this can be a big challenge. If you use posting platforms like Buffer, AgoraPulse, or Hootsuite, you can adjust certain settings to block comments that have certain words, keywords, and phrases to help combat this and help save you a ton of time. You can even go a step ahead and block these spam and bot accounts to cut down on these comments, and always make sure to report them. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook update their systems every year to combat spam comments and accounts, and while they are very efficient, you might still need to put in the extra legwork. You also have the option to turn off comments temporarily. While this is a drastic fix, we don't necessarily recommend it as it can disconnect you from your followers. 

• Reporting Fake Reviews

Genuine reviews are the make or break currency of the internet world. They can make or break a business in a matter of seconds. Like we mentioned above, some companies can be paid to create fake reviews. We've talked about the importance of reviews in the past, and how a few bad reviews and bot comments are ok, but when a business is overrun with fake reviews, that's when the danger sets in. Many review sites, like TripAdvisor, allow you to report these reviews. Staying on top of fake reviews is just as important as fake and spam comments. Remember, just because a review isn't positive doesn't mean that it is spam. Companies can pay for a ton of five-star reviews, and that looks just as suspicious. Fair warning, these reviews can be posted in bulk, so any action you can do to repair and monitor them is very important for the health and wellness of your business. 

Taking responsibility against these spammers and bots is a responsibility that comes with having your business online. These are just a few of the tips available to you to help combat these issues. If you've come to the end of the road with these tactics, there are many others out there. Remember too, having an active social media account and monitoring your pages can help cut down on these malicious and annoying attacks. Active accounts can help you remain creditable and keep you in contact with your customers and target audience. While it might seem tedious, please believe us when we say that these actions are worth it. If you're having these issues or if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out! Until next time, stay safe and caffeinated Summerville!

The first image on the left is of an email we received regarding an image on our website claiming that it didn't belong to us, but that it belonged to and was the work of the sender of the email. However, the graphics in question were designed by us in house, so it was something we were able to laugh off and knew was fake. However, pay attention to the tone of the email, if this was received by someone who didn't design their website or have a trusted source that did, it could be very scary. Also, note the links that have been embedded into the email offering proof that the images in question are the author's, and they have also included a link for "legal documents". The author invites and then demands the reader to click on them in a very believable manner. Both of these links are probably some kind of scam, virus, or a tool that could open up your computer and allow a scammer to have access to whatever they wish. As the message continues, the threat becomes even more heated, saying the images that are hers need to be removed, cursing is used, and more threats are delivered. While we knew this was a harmless threat for us, it's still uncomfortable to read, and could be very scary to someone else. 

The second image on the right is a much different example. This comment, and many that we have received like it, have been sent in for approval to comment on a client's blog. Many social media management companies and blog writers will turn on the option that requires the approval of comments before they're seen by the rest of the world. While we have the power to stop a lot of spam messages, sometimes we don't. These messages range from very tame and kind messages to threats, similar to what you saw in the first image. While this comment might seem kind, we've received the exact same comment from multiple different "people", who are most likely bots. Also, note the circled name on the image noting where the email is coming from. Obviously, that is not an appropriate or real IP address of someone you want to be attached to your website or blog. Having spam comments like this, even ones that seem harmless can damage your reputation, your Google Standing, and credibility. So, how do you deal with this? 
​

• Spam Comments on Blogs

You might be experiencing a few comments once a week or possibly a daily onslaught of these comments, and as your blog becomes more popular the problem could continue to grow much worse. Not only is it annoying to deal with these comments, but it can also take a lot of time to hide and delete the spam. Plus, sometimes it can be difficult to tell if a comment is spam or not. There are multiple reasons why you need to be controlling and cracking down on this spam! Many of these comments can be linked to bad links, that when clicked on, will redirect the user right into a virus. Since this type of crime has been on the rise, Google has joined the ranks in cutting down these actions, and making note of where these dangerous links are appearing. You don't want to damage your online relationship and ranking with Google due to improper links, even if you had no control over them and they're found in the comments. In this situation, you would be getting punished while the spammer walks free. 

Also, not staying on top of these comments, no matter how many you're dealing with, shows a lack of moderation and care for your website and blog, according to Forbes.com. Who wants to believe or follow the audience of a blog or website where it looks like no one takes care of it? Also, the readers you've had might lose faith in your credibility. What happens if you've been a long time follower and reader and because you put faith into this blogger, you don't question the authenticity of a link in a comment. Then, to your horror, you click on it and you have a virus and your personal information begins to leak out. You would quickly lose faith in returning to that website or blog again, right? 

• What Does Spam Look Like? 

This has become more and more difficult over time. The use of letters or emojis that make no sense, a comment that has absolutely nothing to do with the blog itself, anything offensive, or a web link that looks questionable are obviously red flags. Other warning signs might be if a keyword or a username is used in the name field instead of a full first or last name, comments that appear over and over again that look like they've been copied and pasted, and email addresses and website links that can appear again and again are also other potential spam examples. Also, if a comment doesn't feel right to you, just go ahead and delete it. However, as we've mentioned before, this can take a lot of time to conquer, so what should you do next? 

• How To Control Spamming

One option is to allow a third party into the mix. Some platforms will notice repetitive comments and block them, while others require anyone wanting to comment to log into a third-party platform that will approve the comment before it's posted. However, hackers can still break these barriers, it can slow down your website, and they can make your actual readers uncomfortable. Some may not want to create another account on a third party site to leave a comment. 

Next, you can use certain settings to help moderate your spammers. One option is to moderate comments from first-time users, according to NeilPatel.com. This will place these authors in moderation if they change their names, email addresses, or use an email link. If your blog platform allows it, turn off trackbacks, or you can install some plugins that have been built and designed to control spam. You can also shift the conversation to social media. Invite any questionable commenters to email you or continue the discussion on your social media platforms. This will show your fellow readers that you're handling the situation, and if you get no response, it's another way to justify deleting these questionable comments. If you use WordPress, make sure the settings to minimize and control spam are on. You also can turn off the comments on your blogs. However, according to Forbes.com, this can be a big disservice to your blog and company. If you decide to turn comments off on your blog, you could be missing a huge marketing opportunity. 

• Blogs with very active comment sections can help you get to know your audience more and provide great content ideas. It's a space for them to ask questions, share their opinions, and share new ideas. 
• Blogs and their comments help grow the personality of your brand. It's a way for your readers and customers to know the personality behind the company. The more you show up and respond in your comments, it will help you look more personable, approachable, and available. 
• Managing and interacting with the comments of your blogs is another example of your leadership. You're taking control of getting rid of the harmful spam and interacting intelligently with your real readers. This can rapidly increase your credibility, integrity, and overall leadership. 

Don't be discouraged by spam or the time you might have to dedicate to managing it. It is a battle you can win and we hope these tools and suggestions help you feel prepared. Please check back for part two of this new blog series discussing spam on social media posts and found in your direct messages! Until next time, stay safe and caffeinated Summerville!

SSL Certificates. The need to have them has been in debate for some time now - and it looks like Google is going to make the final decision for us all. But what does that mean for the future of your websites and will you be paying for this protection?

Happy July everyone! It's been an exciting month so far for Creative Consulting and we are so excited for the rest of this year to follow suit! There has been an important topic on the back of our minds though - with SEO being our bread and butter, there is one particular topic that has grabbed our attention. The need of an SSL Certificate and what that means for the future of web design, the future of websites SEO, and if you have to pay for this protection or not.

For those of you new to an SSL certificate, or a Secure Socket Layer Certificate, is a digital certificate that authenticates the identity of a website and encrypts information sent to the server. It serves as an electronic passport that establishes online credentials when doing business or just surfing on the web. It creates a secure connection from a web server to a browser. If a hacker ever gets their hands on information or a website that is protected by an SSL, all they will see is a cryptographic code that cannot be broken. Even with the aid of a computer. It ensures total safety while browsing the web, as long as the pages your visiting have an SSL! When it is applied to your server correctly the application protocol, the HTTP, will change to HTTPs. The "S" stands for secure. Sometimes, depending on which SSL Certificate and web browser you're using, a small padlock will also appear in the browser bar and it might even turn green when visiting a website that has an SSL Certificate installed too.  SSL Certificates have typically been used to secure credit card transactions, data transfer and login information, and protection on social media websites. But thanks to Google, it looks like it might become mainstream for everyone to have an SSL certificate.

Why do you need an SSL for your website? It keeps all data secure between servers, it increases your Google Rankings, it builds and enhances your customer's trust, and it improves conversion rates. Automatically if your website sells products or services and deals with credit card transactions there is no question that you should have one. If your website is not available over HTTPs you may see a loss in traffic, loss in user trust and your SEO ratings will start to go down. But even if you don't sell something on your website - it is something that you should highly consider. Once you've established an SSL for your website, all traffic to the webpage will be secure. But what does that mean for the future of SEO and your interaction with Google? We all know that drives so much importance in the traffic to your webpage, and Google has been an incredible tool for that. With Google Chrome being the most popular web browser in the world, it's no surprise that they're making the call for the need of SSL Certificates. But let's go back to the beginning.

In 2014 Google created a new algorithm update that automatically favored HTTPs over HTTP. So already, those websites that were going unprotected were getting fewer views. This continued into 2018 when they announced that if you were not an HTTPS website a "NOT SECURE" message would appear either in your browser bar or when you came to a page that wasn't protected. By October of that year, the warning went from being grey to red - they were getting serious. This year Google has made a push on how they will treat websites with and without SSL. The new default that you should expect in Google includes encryption and a secure connection that is required. It is no longer just a feature for online banking and shopping sites. When it comes to SEO ranking if two websites sell similar products or are similar in topic - if one has HTTPs and the other does not, the website with HTTPs will automatically receive a higher SEO rating. It is not a default in ranking just yet, but with the direction Google has been going in, it could become a default in SEO rating in no time.  

Good news though! Most Webshots today provide SSL by default. There are also plenty of Certificate Authority companies that you can get them for free, like Lets Encrypt. It makes it easy and simple for most web users - and those making their websites. But there are still some roadblocks. Some of our favorite platforms to build our websites in are Wordpress, Weebly, Madesimply, and Wix!
Some offer SSL certificate protection, but they have two different sets of rules. Wix offers SSL for free as part of their platform, all you have to do is make sure that the SSL option is turned on when you first publish your website. If you already have a Wix website created - all you have to do is activate it!

Weebly and MadeSimply are a little different. You can automatically add an SSL certificate to your websites, but the only SSL certificate that works for the domains attached to these websites are the ones that come from their company. You cannot get a free SSL from Lets Encrypt and then add it to your Website that are run by Weebly or MadeSimply. It has to come directly from Weebly and MadeSimply. But, the SSL protection only comes with the paid website options, not the free options. Even if you decide to go with the free options, the free SSL won't work for their websites and will still have the "not secure" warning when anyone visits your pages. So, if you already have a page made on Weebly or MadeSimply - you will have to upgrade to a paid account for this protection. It is frustrating to pay for something else for your webpage. But it will protect your SEO ranking on Google - and your clients. So those few extra dollars a year just might be worth it. The other options might be more costly in the end. You could be facing a loss of clients, business, attacks from hackers, and more.

If you are using a website builder that doesn't give you free SSL security but does allow you to purchase an SSL Certificate, they can range between $5-$15 a year on the cheaper end - and can become more expensive depending on what kind of protection you're looking for. And don't forget - there are plenty of free options too.

So it looks like SSL certificates are here to stay - the transition might be a little frustrating for you and your business, believe me we can relate. But at the end of the day, the protection is worth it.​