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The Misleading Nature of 'View' Counts on Social Media Platforms
The concept of "views" on social media platforms is increasingly questioned, as platforms' methods for counting views can be misleading. Psychological factors and media strategies further complicate the authenticity of these metrics.
The perception of "views" on social media platforms has come under scrutiny, with discussions highlighting their potential misleading nature
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Definition of 'Views': Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) count a "view" as soon as a video starts playing, regardless of the viewer's engagement level.
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Manipulation of Metrics: Some platforms, such as Netflix, have adjusted their criteria—for instance, lowering the threshold to two minutes—to inflate view counts, aiming to attract creators and advertisers.
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Psychological Aspect: Cognitive biases influence how we perceive information. Psychologist Daniel Gilbert notes that our brains often accept what we see at face value, seeking information that aligns with our existing beliefs, blending reality with comforting illusions.
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Media Influence: The intertwining of falsehoods with news content can increase viewership, as sensational or biased information tends to attract more attention, highlighting the economic incentives behind such practices.
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