SPAM! BOTS! & CHEETAH’S OH MY! Community Opinion Survey
This Steemit community is growing and it’s great!
There’s been some learning and teething issues, but overall nothing that couldn’t be handled…but now it’s approaching the terrible toddler years.
We all love this baby, but let’s face it…it’s not always a darling.
The recent growth spurts have sent waves of new accounts .
(image courtesy of 
And you’re probably feeling the extra company – and it’s not always good.
SPAM!!! BOTS AND ABUSERS!
Did someone hang a sign out front of Steemit saying beggars, cheats and desperados welcome?
I don’t know, maybe someone sent the wrong memo.
There’s a problem. And a lot of people are pissed. After all, many spent months building a follower base, earning a solid rep, making a few good SBD’s here and there – but mostly putting it back into Steem Power and investing in the future, believing it was going to be bright.
But now feeds and comments are being overrun by spam. What’s worse, many spammers are making more money of hundreds of accounts and not adding any value at all…diluting the rewards pool for everyone else.
YOU’RE FEELING IT
The value of Steem Backed Dollars is near all-time lows, making payouts lower. Poor quality content makes curating quality content harder. And the sheer volume of incessant spam drowns good posts, blocking deserving authors from upvotes. What’s more a lot of big accounts are drawing down their Steem Power. Is it a sign?
I know you’re feeling it because there is an ugly, frustrated undertone out there. I’ve seen a lot of posts on this…but nothing truly comprehensive.
So, I want to open it up to the floor. Vent some steam (shameless pun intended).
Experienced and new users welcome. Please share your thoughts on overcoming these challenges.
Do we already have the tools we need? Eg Cheetahbot, downvotes etc. Or could the development team give Steemit an upgrade to tackle bots, low quality content and spam accounts.
Here are somethings to consider;
- Spam bots and accounts
- Does reputation score go far enough?
- Vote bots
- What features would you like to see?
- Minnow support, Randowhale, it’s a bot…but is it acceptable?
- Self-upvoting?
- Where is the line between spam and promotion?
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Just leave your thoughts in the comments section. In a week’s time I will review and publish a new post with a collective summary of thoughts and opinions.
I hope this can be a useful behaviour code for new users, and old.
Full disclosure, I myself decided to stop being a Steemit wallflower just this month. I love this community and the deep thought so many contributors put into their content. I don’t want to see it devolved into another Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
I expect many new users will be joining soon and I want to help them understand what behaviour is good for the community, and what will earn them respect from Steemians. I have found it’s not always a clear line so here’s everyone’s chance to lay it down on the table.