Meta’s Misstep: Why Facebook’s Spam Labeling of Medium Stories Needs Reevaluation
Navigating Social Media Censorship and Perspectives from a Retired Health Professional’s Battle with Unfair Content Moderation
Readers of Medium.com can read this story for free via my friend link
As a retired elderly, I never considered myself a fan of social media or mobile apps, but I joined X and Facebook to share valuable stories from Medium, where I read and write and serve as an editor and curator for several publications. I enjoy a bit of online gaming with my grandkids as they make me feel younger and improve my relationship with them.
I wrote this story because, recently, both X and Facebook have started removing specific stories published on Medium.com, particularly those related to public health. A few months ago, X temporarily suspended my account for sharing a staff-picked story by David Mokotoff, MD. I wrote about this issue before to raise awareness.
They did this a few more times, and I informed them that I was considering upgrading to X Premium as suggested by my mentor as a content developer and curator to reach a broad audience, but their restrictions dissuaded me. While they haven’t responded, the harassment has lessened.
Now, Facebook has joined the fray.
A few days ago, they removed a story shared from my Health and Science publication. Despite my appeal, the story wasn’t reinstated. I didn’t dwell on it, being preoccupied with more pressing matters.
Today, Facebook has flagged another story that holds personal significance. One of my adult children, a cardiologist, asked me to share it on social media for its potential public health benefits.
The story, curated by Medium and written with scientific rigor by Dr Mehmet Yildiz, is a comprehensive piece on intermittent fasting, debunking myths with scientific studies and clinical anecdotes.
Here is the link for those who might have missed it.
The True Science Behind the Health Benefits of Time-Restricted Eating, Including 23 Quality…
A 2024 meta-analysis (umbrella review) in the Lancet shows the nuances and value of intermittent fasting for health and…medium.com
Shocking Message from Facebook Today
Below is a screenshot of Facebook’s notification, which I had to appeal again. As a retired health professor and public health advocate, I view this as a profound insult!
According to Facebook, my post was flagged for attempting to get likes, follows, shares, or video views in a misleading way.
I told to myself as first reaction:
Who do you think you are to judge me like this? I don’t care about your platform’s likes, follows, shares, or video views. This is beyond frustrating — it’s insulting!
I have been sharing stories like this for two years and have yet to have any intention of gaining followers on Facebook. I really don’t care about vanity things on social media. I am too old for such silly things.
For example, I have never checked and don’t know who follows me, as I don’t like Facebook, don’t engage there, and never created a personal profile. I don’t share personal information or photos; it doesn’t interest me.
It’s astonishing that a platform used by over a billion people can’t accurately determine the purpose behind user posts.
Instead of addressing illegal activities and abuses on their platform, Facebook focuses on labeling a scientifically backed Medium story as spam and unfairly branding me as a spammer.
As a retired health professional and a dedicated editor/curator, this experience has been frustrating and stressful. It deeply concerns me about I try to understand the role of social media in society.
Social media platforms like Facebook must reassess their approach and prioritize genuine content that contributes to public knowledge and well-being. Currently, they add noise and create societal tension.
I wonder why so many people waste their time on social media. What is the point? What do they gain from them?
Unless these platforms address these spam issues and stop suppressing valuable content, I will not pay them and will not give them free content anymore.
Instead of gardening in or paying for services that overlook the importance of authentic content, I’d rather support burgeoning writers on platforms like Substack or Quora, where their growth and contributions are genuinely valued.
Have you got such issues on these social media platforms? If so, please share your experiences in the comment section.
Join me on Substack and Quora Where I Curate Content
You are welcome to join my Quora space and share your stories, story links, Substack post, or relevant blog posts. I introduced it in a previous story, so I link it here as a reference.
Invitation to My Quora Space for Health and Science Writers to Build Your Audience for Substack
Gain new opportunities, such as more views and new readers, by joining our Quora Spaces as a contributor and/or…medium.com
Here is the link to my Quora Space:
Health & Science By Dr Broadly
I feature stories I publish in my health and Science Publication on Medium.healthsciencebydrbroadly.quora.com
If you are new to Quora you may also check out this inspiring and educational story of my mentor Dr Mehmet Yildiz who always find ways to stimulate my aging brain with his novel and meaningful approaches.
You Can Earn Income from Your Content on Quora with the Same or Less Effort You Invest in Medium.
I introduce and explain the key points of another content monetization and marketing platform, a global sensation that…medium.com
Upon questions from freelance writers, I created a tutorial to guide them in monetizing their content on Quora spaces thorough the Quora+ subscription model.
Tutorial: How to Monetize Your Content on Quora Spaces
An invitation to contribute to the Health and Science Quora space open to all writers from Medium, Substack, NewsBreak…medium.com
And fiction writers pay attention to the attached story by ILLUMINATION-Curators featuring a special Quora space for fiction writers and its supportive moderator Scarlet Ibis James 🦩.
Invitation to ILLUMINATION Fiction Club and Our Other Spaces on Quora
Share the links to your fiction or non-fiction stories on Medium, Substack, your blogs, or other platforms to reach a…medium.com
My Focus on Substack
As Dr Yildiz also taught me how to create and use Substack, I will also transfer this knowledge to you. I am now on Substack and enjoying it very much. I wrote a story about it and submitted it to Substack on the ILLUMINATION publication. You can do the same.
Finally Joined Substack: A New Chapter in Supporting My Readers
Welcoming the Value of Repurposing Content Across Platformsmedium.com
Here is the link to my Substack.
Heath Science Research By Dr Mike Broadly | Substack
My personal Substack. Click to read Heath Science Research By Dr Mike Broadly, a Substack publication with hundreds of…drmikebroadly.substack.com
As I do to my Quora space, I will also invite guest writers to my Substack site soon and will curate stories from my Medium publication Health and Science on Substack. So please leave a comment if you are interested. You can also contact me on ILLUMINATION Slack Workspace, where I work as a volunteer editor and moderator.
Here is an empowering story posted earlier by Dr Yildiz, which inspired me and might guide you if you are a new writer like me.
Why Your Substack Isn’t Taking Off & How Medium Might Be Holding You Back Unintentionally
Success Requires Open Mind, Strategy, Plan, and Effort: Why a New Mindset and Meaningful Engagement Matter on Substack…medium.com
I am a retired healthcare scientist in his mid-70s, and I have several grandkids who keep me going and inspire me to write on this platform. I am also the chief editor of the Health and Science publication on Medium.com. As a giveback activity, I volunteered as an editor for Illumination publications, supporting many new writers. I will be happy to read, publish, and promote your stories. You may connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Quora, where I share stories I read. You may subscribe to my account to get my stories in your inbox when I post.
I am very sorry Meta this to you, Dr Broadly. This is not only an insult but also unfair. They did the same thing to me and you inspired me to write a story about it. Thank you for sharing your sad experience. This story is very important for awareness especially for readers, writers, editors, and curators on Medium.com and Substack.com.
Wow, like Dr. Mehmet, you share a wealth of information in one post.
I appreciate that, but it also puts me in overload as to what to read next!!!
As far as FB goes, they’ve been censoring hard since Covid.
I don’t have any proof FB is connected to any medical overlord. nor do I care to obtain any, but there is without a doubt an agenda to keep people sick.
Keep writing!
It’s biz baby!!!