Facebook "Like" system devalued by fake users

k(wi)r(kipedia) writes: A BBC investigation has found evidence of fake users skewing the results of Facebook's "Like" recommendation system. The BBC set up a Facebook page for a fake business called VirtualBagel and invited users to "like" it. The page reportedly attracted "over 1,600 likes" within twenty-four hours. The test appeared to confirm the claims of a social media marketing consultant who contacted the BBC after he noticed a disparity in the distribution of users "liking" the products of his clients. "While they had been targeting Facebook users around the world, all their 'likes' appeared to be coming from countries such as the Philippines and Egypt."