There's a lot of awesome inside! TeamSteem Style! I've spotted a couple of scammy introduction posts. Here's one blatant example which is currently worth more than $18. (Back to $0)
Scammy Post (not welcome)
"Introduction Post" by @daniwong (Screenshot #1 #2 #3)
Copied from this post. Only the name, pictures and a couple of lines are different. Everyone who know me know how much I love Steem and how much I want to help as much as possible. Yup, there's a very real possibility the people making these fake introduction posts are poor but the reality is upvoting those posts isn't making Steem a better place. The number of daily visits and content creation is skyrocketing. It was expected. Steem offers more than what some other much more popular websites are currently offering except Steem pays its users and allows peer-to-peer banking. I'm thinking in particular about Redddit. Yes, you Reddit! We're coming! Expect us! (We're very friendly and looking to help.) But not just Reddit, as many people who read my latest article have realized Steem's potential is much bigger than any other websites. I'm encouraging all of us to upvote our friends those who bring value to the platform and we know are real. We also know they will bring value back to our posts and Steem social network. Let's encourage people to create valuable content, verify themselves and also to share their Steem posts on their other social networks. There's no need for us to upvote people who don't verify themselves with video or pictures mentioning Steemit. Sure anonymous account can bring a lot of value to Steemit but clearly the posts mentioned above haven't brought much to Steemit. I've upvoted introduction post from people who haven't verify themselves in the past and it might very well happen in the future but what I think these 2 posts shows is that we should try to be more diligent. I just realized part of the text as also been copied in this introduction post. (Screenshot) It makes my case stronger. Let's bring empowerment/Steem to people who bring real value to Steem. I'm encouraging people who are interested in creating scammy account to try to create more valuable content instead. In the long run, mutually beneficial behavior always pays best, at least on Steemit! Have fun and sign up! Advancing the ideals I share in my articles is what I'm about. Consider approving my witness if you share those ideals and consider approving other witnesses too, seriously! Type teamsteem at the bottom of the page and then click vote. (https://steemit.com/~witnesses) Thank you to everyone who's been reading and Steeming! Questions and comments are very much welcome! I'm not making this up. This is like it is as I post this and people keep upvoting this post.
"Introduction post" by @bungasalsa (Screenshot #1 #2)
Welcome New Steemians!
Steem's Infinite Potential!
Mutually Beneficial Always Pays Best!
Find Out More!
Sign Up!
No credit card needed.Financial wealth is just a tool and not an end in itself.
Thanks for this post! I found it really insightful seeing as I just created an Introduction post for myself about an hour ago. Is there anything additional I should add to mine to make it more valuable and trusted?? I'd appreciate advice! Thank you!
https://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@sarahjanele/introduction-who-is-sarah-rodebush
Very cool post!
I'll give you a vote if you add a verification picture as your first picture in the post. That's what I should have mention in my post and put an example of it.
This is what I want to see in introduction post. It make it super fast to determine if this is a real person and not someone creating multiple accounts with picture they took on the internet.
I know you're a real person. It's pretty easy to see by the quality of your post but nonetheless, I'd love if more people knew even if this picture is not a prerequisite it help and people who don't mind not remaining anonymous should do such verification picture.
The reason for it to be the first picture is so that we can see it as the thumbnail and be easier to distinguish from other introduction post who don't have this picture.
No matter what, your post is doing really good and I'm glad to see you join Steemit. I love how your post looks and what it says.
Edit: I upvoted because you verified yourself with your Steemit contact on your website but my points still stands for anyone reading this.
Thank you so much for the feedback! I really do appreciate it, and the upvote! :)
I'm glad I'm not the only one who is actively trying to improve the content on Steemit. To that effect I created this campaign (please give me feedback, I just want to help):
I will upvote every constructive comment I get on Steemit with 5-10 cents in order to create a WIN-WIN-WIN.
You win by having me upvote and follow you, I win by having great comments and more followers and above all Steemit wins by getting better content.
Read about the rules and conditions here.
Please respond here or on my post with any feedback you have, thanks!
I hate to disagree, but I didn't find anything wrong with Bungasalsa's post. It should not be called scammy post. The screenshots of the first one don't work, so I can't say about that one. Verification should not be made to done forcefully. I would have appreciated you if you had suggested Bungasalsa, to verify and why to verify, but your comment, "Can you verify yourself with a picture of you holding a sign that say hello Steemit or with a video?" doesn't sound good. Hope you don't mind my comment, just my view.
You're very right. Thank you for pointing my error. I edited my post earlier and that is where the error came in. I re-edited it. I also re-edited my comment. You were also right on this too. Thank you for correcting me.
Thank you for taking my comment in a positive manner. Very less people have guts to accept their mistakes. Hats off to you sir.
Agree 100%
I agree and I changed it. It's suspicious but that doesn't prove anything, yet she didn't answered to the request which makes it even more suspicious.
For sure. I do a little reporting myself but I would only really value something of substance over suspicion.
It amazes me how much work they will go through to setup an account and then copy and paste something. They could have just as easily spent an extra five minutes and started earning long term from a few camera phone pictures and original content.
Yes to what you just said!
How does one "verify" themself?
Verify themselves with a picture or video mentioning Steemit or even better post one of their Steem post preferably their introduction post to one of their other social network.
My steemit introduction did horribly.
I called it "Steemit I N T R O" and I did put a picture.
Oh well.
From what I've noticed, the "IntroduceYourself" posts that have pictures of girls get more upvotes... Mine had zero pictures, but I actually gave introductory info about myself, and I made like $4... Some post with a couple words and 6 pics of a girl makes over $50
One of rare cases where gender inequality is reversed, lol.
The only reason you can say that, is because I actually introduced myself in my IntroduceYourself post.
Ya, I know.
:s
Thats unfortunately just the world that we live in friend.
Steem will hopefully bring about a new world. Hey one can dream.
Exactly....the future of social media possibly.
Now why didn't I think of that??? My original photo was more recent and scared everyone away, I think!
Keep creating new content and have fun! Bring in new Steemians!
I just gave it a bump for ya :)
thanks :)
I just did too!
I just uploaded a video about Steemit and my move from Youtube.
Does my video verify me?
It totally does. Awesome video. I upvoted and I'm now following you.
Excellent topic and thoughts shared with us here, thanks a bunch.
All for one and one for all! Namaste :)
Thank you Eric!
I had no idea what the introductory posts were until I was on here for a few weeks and read someone else's post saying, "Do an introduce yourself post!" Since posting my own, I noticed that people often post a picture of themselves holding a sign with the date and Steemit on it. Obviously creating fake posts or abusing the introduce yourself tag is wrong, but I would also bet that a lot of new users just don't know how to do it the right way.
I agree. A lot of people don't reach much either so that can partly explain why.
Great post, I didn't do so well in my introduction post... However I obtained my account using "anon steem" for privacy (for my own reasons).
I've only been using Steem for a few days but I also believe that it will take over reddit as THE front page of the internet, it's only a matter of time. The issue will be the hardcore Reddit users that are pretty stubborn.... Quality posts and active users are the key
Cool! It's good to see people using anon steem.
I don't give Reddit much chance but we'll see.
I think you miss out on the both right and desire for some users to remain anonymous. Steem seems to have this thing for "verifying" everything... those silly steemverify.com badges and the like. The only verification needed is upvotes, period.
That said, posting a verified picture or video allows you to prove that account belongs to you - if you are a notable figure, or hope to be :).
Pardon my skepticism, but some people may want to post revealing or controversial content that they don't want connected back to them by name. Case in point is Tyler Durden on Zerohedge. The journalists are anonymous. By focusing on the content and not the author, there is no one to attack and its the information which is highlighted, as it should be. I'm sorry but this dictating to people what they should and shouldn't do seems counter intuitive to a platform such as this.
Steem as I am aware is not just a place to post/blog, it is more than that. There is value in Steem because it is a crypto-coin and is open to abuse if the proper checks and controls are not there. I understand the team's requirement to have some sort of verification of its members to ensure that the integrity of the platform is preserved but I hope it does not go as far as the "Know Your Customer" principle in the financial sector.
I'm not a paid employee of Steemit.
By the way @hattorihanzo, I never dictated anything to anyone nor did I say anonymous accounts didn't have their place on Steemit in fact I explicitly mentioned anonymous accounts can bring value to the platform. Sorry if that wasn't clear.
I absolutely agree with you.
Particularly in the current ubiquitous data harvesting online ecosystem we inhabit, and further enhanced by the gradual migration of that information to 'state actors' whose commencement of operations have been characterized by misinformation, at best, and malicious disinformation in all likelihood, it behooves prudent posters to limit the potential of such entities to link social, business, and political activity.
The chilling effect I experience when posting items I know my mother, children, competitors and overlords are watching is a cogent reminder that freedom is neither free, nor easy. While I am not complacent when posting anonymously, I know only nefarious actors can harm me through illegally using my personal information. Honest people might disagree with me, but can't, for example, threaten my children to shut me up.
This is why I need anonymity.
I wondered the same thing, but couldn't have elucidated it so well @hattorihanzo
Because of my content ilk, I'll be verifying, but not everyone is in that camp.
I have never really understood the whole idea of verifying here. In part because I'm a complete Luddite when it comes to video, in part because still photos are no longer proof of anything. Way too many people are good at PhotoShop/Gimp.
Having them verify by posting to another social media is probably more effective.
And much more privacy-destroying
Depends, are you pretending to be a famous, well known person? Isn't your privacy gone anyway? Are you an artist on deviant art with a handle? Well we need to make sure you are that same artist. There is no need to reveal your real name. The real deviant art artist wouldn't want some imposter making money here.
You don't have to use facebook. You don't have to verify at all, if you are not pretending to be anyone special.
I agree totally. In those cases makes perfect sense.
I recognize that the norm is to cross link as much as possible but I oppose it. To put on my tinfoil hat, part of why we do it is having been duped into it. It all comes down to tracking for advertising.
In my view the losses outweigh the gains for the average person. A few days ago a prolific poster threatened to reveal the address and bank account of another user. It becomes easier to unearth sensitive private information the more public information is available.
When you state 'it all comes down to tracking for advertising', and then go on to point out an example where there is a threat to dox someone, I think you are too generous with goodwill.
It all comes down to POWER, and tracking for advertising is but one way to use that power. SWATting is another, and it happens. There are also far more dangerous ways our personal information can be used against us. It was John Yoo (or John Yee, can't remember off the top of my head, but counsel to George W. Bush during his presidency, IIRC) that provided a legal opinion that the executive (President) had lawful authority to crush the testicles of a child in order to interrogate a parent.
As far as I know, both Obama and Trump have become the inheritors of this 'lawful authority', and I am confident that there is a reason that Yoo felt it necessary to provide that legal opinion.
It could not be a good reason, and there are a lot of other bad actors out there with even less constraint than the USG might feel appropriate. Anonymity reduces the power such bad actors have over us.
Knowledge is power, and our data has power over us.
You're correct, thanks for pointing that out! 😅 Oops.
I guess you could say it comes down to power as a way to tie the two. In this case information is power: your spending habits, postal address, favorite yogurt, what you look like naked.
Looks like you were right the first time, it was John Yoo who said
So yea, I hadn't heard of that, but in a way it doesn't surprise me, though perhaps it should.
Absolutely. So thanks for pointing out my non sequitur.
And also the best option for the growth of the platform.
The idea is to try to prevent people from creating multiple accounts and try to make some easy Steem from multiple accounts. There's many ways to verify. One could make a video and also post their Steem post on their other social networks.
Not every one who wants anonymity is dodgy. I post quite a few times a day however I can't reveal my true identity as it would cost me my job a clearance. But I won't stop trying to get the truth out there, take a look at my posts and follow me I'm for real dudes.
I never said anonymous accounts didn't have their place on Steemit in fact I explicitly mentioned anonymous accounts can bring value to the platform. Sorry if that wasn't clear.
I think one of the biggest problems comes with the definition of anonymous. Just because you don't post pictures or videos of yourself doesn't mean you're anonymous.
I'm not anonymous. I share who I am. I share my passions, my life. I'm a real person.
I assure you, seeing a photo or video of me will not help you get to know me. In fact, it'll likely hinder it.
I'm not anonymous if you take the time to get to know me.
No worries. Thanks for the clarification. I doubt if my wife could identify me from the picture.
Hehe, you seem to have frightened a multitude of anonymous Steemit users. It's comforting to know that you weren't treating them as terror suspects, haha. On a serious note, I'm glad that you agreed with @personz that one's work should stand on its own. Because that's exactly what I had in mind and wanting to convey it to you.
I disagree strongly with this statement. Anonymous users should not be penalized. Do you know that I am anonymous?
The main reason I disagree with verification is that it is not actually the goal, and as you describe it here is perfect, because it shows us that really what we actually want is spam and plagiarization detection. We all need to be vigilant. Bots can come in handy here too, such as the great work done by @cheetah.
Verification as standard just encourages, even forces people to provide extra irrelevant information about themselves in the hopes of catching out imposters. But any information which is not necessary to share, no matter how seemingly innocuous, should not be shared. The risks are very real.
I encourage anyone reading this to boycott verification
.
@steemitqa, who ran one of the most popular verification services on Steemit, have just this last week retired their old approach which is pretty much what you're talking about here, in favor of a more Twitter style verification, i.e. only applies to personalities, celebrities, etc. For me this is the only case where it should even be considered - where someone has consented to become a "public person".
You are right. This post makes it very unclear what the intentions for verifying really are: to verify who that account really belongs to, to clear up ambiguity if accounts claim/confuse to be famous people (@berniesanders).
Oh sorry!
This didn't meant we shouldn't upvote anonymous accounts. I've express myself poorly and I will correct this. I meant to say there's no need for us to upvote poor quality introduction post on the basis of FOMO on some new comers. New comers will come. We shouldn't throw away money at poor quality introduction post.
My point is if you're someone who is very famous and beloved then you have an advantage in revealing your identity. On the other hand those who don't, can't or don't want to reveal their identity have to rely solely on the quality of their information to bring value and this is trickier even more so for introduction post.
Edit: I just re-read myself and It seems to me I was pretty clear. I miss read some stuff and the intention of people from time to time so this might be what happened. Keep on Steeming anonymously and I'll keep upvoting you as I did in the past if I see something valuable. I don't penalize anonymous accounts.
With respect, you were not clear.
But my core disagreement here is with verification in general. I absolutely reject it for the "normal" user. There is literally no need. As some other commenters have noted, one's work should stand on its own. If you plagarize, it can be discovered.
In any case thanks for taking the time to comment and reflect on your post.
Z,
Your one of the few here who I've seen express a quality understanding of information security and privacy. I align with the mentality that votes are the only form of verification anyone ever needs - at least how steem is designed today.
Keep up the good work - earned my follow.
Good point, and succinctly put. Thanks for the vote of confidence, no pun intended 😉
I don't want to push anyone to do anything they don't wish to. I fully agree with you, one's work should stand on its own.
Got a follow from me as well.
Thanks!
Right back at you 😉
Congratulations @teamsteem!
Your post was mentioned in my hit parade in the following categories:
i respect the passion here and your take on this. Its always nice to hear what people are thinking, building blocks of understanding this great platform. Good job keeping the zest alive and trying to make steemit a better place... huge upvote
Thank you Bonnie! I heard you on The Steemit Talk Podcast a couple weeks ago and you were a lot of fun to listen to!
Hello. Real person that currently has no interest in verifying myself with photos or video of myself. (I hate my appearance.)
Hopefully the steemit community won't hold that against me.
I've seen a lot of scammy introduction posts, myself. Which is why I'm mostly forgoing commenting on introductions.
Please keep to your own opsec judgements. Don't let other users on the internet push you to giving up information you don't want to.
Expecially if it is for "verification" purposes.
You're welcome! Everyone is welcome.
Yeah i noticed people aren't really requesting people to verify much anymore. Almost every into post i go into its just hellos.
I agree and I don't like it.
Totally agree, the success of a platform largely depends on the quality of content or people who are actively participating on it.
Yup! Thanks for your comment @arnel!
Do you think I should introduce myself with introduceyourself tag again? :) As my first introduction post contained nothing about me..
Do whatever empowers you the most. Just as we all seek to do in life but know that Steem empowers you, the exact opposite of any institutions of modern society which empowers a small group at the expense of everyone else. Steem mutually empowers everyone.
Do what empowers you!
Nice post:))
Thank you!
yeah, this is important post for newbie stemians
Cool! I think so!
@teamsteem how can i verified my profile ?
See that picture? That's how. Use this picture as your first picture in your post. It's an informal verification. If you ever do one just post it here below.
example
Thanks for the advice. I've just created a better introduction based on your information. https://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@versonika/allow-me-to-re-introduce-myself-verification-picture
Great tips and I agree with you 100% on this because if I do a post on health, or anything, sometimes ppl want to see, ok is this person who they say they are. It definitely add credibility. Thanks for taking the time to research :)
Hey Everyone!! I am new to steemit. If you follow me, i'll follow you!! I have AMAZING OUTDOOR ADVENTURES!
Great suggestion! Also where can I get a shirt? :D
I just used a printing t-shirt company but I know @kaylinart have some on amazon for those in the US.
I totally agree on scam accounts basically copy/pasting themselves to wealth.
But I WOULD like to be able to have a second account that is unconnected to this one to post my writing through. Currently I would have to get a second phone to do that. Which isn't likely. I know there's an anon service, but I don't have the BTC for it.
Then I recommend you get some BTC. They only go up in price. I know what you mean. Also you could buy some Bitcoin with you Steem or SBD.
Nice tips and great research.
Thank you @shaheer001
Welcome sir.
Good post. Resteemed :-)
Awesome! Thank you very much!
You are very welcome @teamsteem :-)
Damn, I couldn't even reach $10 on my intro. I jumped right in rather than learn, as usual. Good post!
People can always go for a second introduction post.
thank you very useful i didnt put a picture of myself with steemit because i was unsure of site as i have only been on here for a few days i will go back and edit, thanks again,
You're welcome!
Hi there guys is there a possibility to have a re-introduction of my self? As my first one has no verification.
Yeah sure! You might want to mention it's not your first one.
Sir, thank you, will do this someday
Good post. Its much needed. Informative and well planted.
Thank you for that nice comment!
hope its not too late for an introduction; still absorbing it all in.....
whales, minnows... is there a sponge status ? lol
There you go. You created the sponge status and there will be a proof of this for as long as the Steem blockchain exist.
Identifying bad apples early on the game, sets a standard for the rest. Thank you for doing this.
Yeah! Thank you! I felt like there was a need for it when I stumble on those posts. We knew it was a problem since the very beginning but I had to readdress it.
It's a good reminder. Keep up the good work.
I have reviewed @daniwong a few days ago, she said live in lampung, but his face not an indonesian people, she look like a korean (in picture), i tried to talk in our mother tounge but she never answer. Thanks @teamsteem
Thank you for the information!
Welcome
lol I just did a normal intro posts, Have been attempting to get my other followers on my fb page and instagram over here.
That's awesome! That's the way to go!
Better community and you get paid. Win-win in my books. 😁
Thanks for sharing I learn a few things from this, now I know I need to do more selfie and try not to be camera shy jeje.
Be shy but don't let it stop you!
Thanks! I will try all my best to over come that and be less shy and more friendly with the camera.
Hmmmmmmm ... fascinating.
I love your comment! Steem really is fascinating!
LOL! It's good to know that the 'wool' can't be pulled over the eyes of steemit!!!
Yup!
Im totally with you on that need to keep this community strong and informed. I'm a newbie to the steemit community but i've noticed a few fishy account myself! Now that you pointed it out I'll def keep an eye out.
What are the steps on reporting a spam account, do you flag them?
Well it depends. We all have to do a risk benefit analysis, like every second of our life.
I haven't verified myself. Should I re-introduce myself?
That's up to you!
@teamsteem I'm new here. is not clear
At least I've read a couple of post for people to read. I hope you enjoy them.
So that's the idea with the photos with notes. I never thought of it as a problem.
Yes! That is the idea. You're correct.
Here's my intro. I've verified myself to be a bit of a clown :)
https://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@abh12345/a-belated-hello
Thank you for sharing.
A very nice post. I already have an introductory post, but abadoned steemit for a while. Now that i am back, can i write another introductory post? Im hoping this one will do better than the previous one.
It's up to you.
So you want advertising... content should count for advertising. putting on a t-shirt with a brand on it is an ad.
What?
Hmmm I never made an introductory post...maybe I should have.
I can always be a nice post.
Scams are everywhere online, however, the reason people falls into scams and make such post is the fact that people are willing to make money online. It is hard to find legitimate sites and people share such post in order to try and make more referrals. It is hard in this world guys, don't be so harsh on the desperate guys.
That's true.
Cryptocurrency's focal point is anonymity. I don't understand the point of literally forcing people to do a verification before they will be considered real members of the community. Value of contribution should be what matters most here! Let us not be pursuing shadow. If you come across any scam or scammer, report him/her so that all the members will excommunicate him/her. This is just my humble opinion.
Where did I force anyone to do anything?
meep
While you only say meep, you could communicate much more by placing that meep in context, indicating what you mean by meep.
A few pics would go a long way to providing that context. The meeping muppets showed actions which gave meaning to their meeps. I'd appreciate such context, as well.
meep
Thanks for the good advice, was really useful when I was making my 1st post a few days ago. I got quite a good response to it. My girlfriend thinks I might have done better if only I had boobs but then, I am not drinking enough beer I guess...
Haha! Congrats! I'm not sure of the estrogenic activity of beer but I sure did hear about it.
Cheers! Apparently it is true, the culprit is said to be the high content of estrogen found in hops which is a powerful phytoestrogen (plant-based estrogen).