Perry's Pen

Q: i saw two very similar posts on LinkedIn today. Both took a long talk talking about how wonderful their daughter is. Then they said that AI caught them cheating, and asked What do you think? at the end.

What is going on?

1. 1. Viral Post Templates:
2. 2. Engagement Farming:
3. 3. Copycat Behavior:
4. 4. Manufactured Authenticity:
5. In summary:
6. How can we guard against this type of manipulative behaviour?

AI: What you’re describing is a trend on LinkedIn—and increasingly on other social platforms—where posts follow a specific viral formula designed to maximize engagement.

Here’s what’s likely happening:

1. Viral Post Templates:

Some users copy successful post formats almost word-for-word, simply swapping out names or details. These templates often combine emotional storytelling (e.g., praising a child) with a surprising twist (e.g., “AI caught them cheating”) and then end with a call-to-action like “What do you think?”

2. Engagement Farming:

The goal is to provoke reactions, comments, and shares. By mixing personal stories with hot topics (like AI), and ending with an open-ended question, the post is engineered to encourage interaction and boost visibility in LinkedIn’s algorithm.

3. Copycat Behavior:

When one post goes viral, others quickly imitate it to try to get similar attention. Sometimes, people even use AI tools to generate these posts, leading to eerily similar content appearing across multiple profiles.

4. Manufactured Authenticity:

LinkedIn’s culture rewards posts that seem authentic and emotionally resonant, but when overused or obviously copied, these formulas feel artificial or manipulative, adding to the perception of “toxicity.”

In summary:

You’re witnessing a combination of viral content templates, engagement tactics, and copycat behavior. This is why you’re seeing almost identical posts, even on something as personal as celebrating a family member. It’s a reflection of how social media algorithms and attention-seeking strategies shape the content people share.

How can we guard against this type of manipulative behaviour?

Guarding against manipulative behavior like viral content templates and engagement farming on platforms like LinkedIn involves a mix of personal strategies and wider community awareness:

1. Cultivate Media Literacy:
Be critical of emotional or “too perfect” stories, especially when they follow a formula. Ask yourself: does this post feel authentic, or does it seem designed to provoke a reaction?

2. Don’t Reward Manipulation:
Avoid liking, sharing, or commenting on posts that feel manipulative or inauthentic. Engagement is the currency of social platforms—without it, such posts lose visibility.

3. Seek Substance Over Style:
Focus on and interact with posts that offer genuine insight, constructive advice, or meaningful discussion, rather than those fishing for engagement.

4. Curate Your Network:
Be selective about who you connect with and follow. If certain connections consistently share manipulative content, consider unfollowing or muting them.

5. Report Spam and Misuse:
Most platforms, including LinkedIn, have reporting mechanisms for spam or inauthentic content. Use these tools when you see clear cases of manipulation.

6. Lead by Example:
Share original, thoughtful content yourself. Others are more likely to follow suit if they see authentic voices in their feeds.

7. Raise Awareness:
Discuss these patterns with your own network—sometimes, people don’t realize they’re engaging with or amplifying manipulative posts.

Ultimately, while we can’t control what others post, we can shape our own experience and contribute to a healthier online environment by being mindful, discerning, and intentional in our interactions.