It's a recurring status post: a chain letter on Facebook that claims that simply copying and pasting text could trick Facebook's newsfeed algorithm and therefore show more posts from friends.

The chain letter on Facebook goes something like this:

“It's crazy to have over (this number varies) friends on Facebook and only see 25 posts... To get friends back in your newsfeed and get rid of ads - hold your finger anywhere on this post and click copy …. This is an upgrade to the system.”

MIMIKAMA
Screenshot: The chain letter on Facebook

For years, we at Mimikama have pointed out that this claim is misleading. The first time was 5 years ago 2018!


The facts about the chain letter on Facebook:

Facebook's algorithm that determines which posts appear in your News Feed is based on a variety of factors, such as your interactions with other users and posts , your interests and preferences , and the overall popularity of a post.

Copying and pasting a specific text does not affect this algorithm.

If you follow the chain letter's statements and assume that the algorithm actually only reaches the same 25 users, a logical question arises: Who would then see the posting and be able to respond to it? Correct, it would be the same 25 users. The posting would therefore not reach any new or different friends.

The assumption that you can outsmart the Facebook algorithm with such a simple “trick” is simply wrong. The idea that you can “turn off” or remove advertising in this way is also not true. Facebook finances itself through advertising, and it is not in the company's interest to allow users to easily remove them.

There are indeed ways to customize and personalize the News Feed, but they require more specific actions than simply copying and pasting text. You can mark certain people or pages as “favorites” in order to see their posts higher up in the news feed. You can also “mute” people, pages or groups if you don’t want to see their posts and you can divide your friends and also the pages you follow into lists. Every Facebook user can find their lists here: https://www.facebook.com/bookmarks/lists/

Nobody, except Facebook itself, knows the algorithm. Facebook itself already clarified this issue in 2018 :

“We organize the news feed based on which posting might be relevant to the user. Although we have made some adjustments that may increase the number of visible posts from friends, the News Feed is not limited to 25 contacts.”


If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:

📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.

Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!

* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!


Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )