An unfamiliar term
I inadvertently came across an unfamiliar term the other day that both shocked and intrigued me. That term was, “internet shill”.I would certainly not call myself a man of the world, nor do I consider myself particularly “street wise”, but neither did I think I was as innocent and naive as it appears I am. When I saw what an internet shill was, I could hardly believe there could be such a thing. This is a description:
An Internet shill is someone who promotes something or someone online for pay without divulging that they are associated with the entity they shill for.
A shill might create a Facebook or Twitter account, set up a blog or simply comment through these and other channels, such as discussion forums. The purpose is to artificially improve the social perception of the entity shilled for. Shills promote companies, products, public figures and viewpoints for profit, while pretending to have no motivation for doing so other than personal belief. Alternatively, they sometimes denigrate someone or something, such as a political viewpoint or a competitor’s product, that is in conflict with the entity they serve.
Now what sort of person would be so lacking in integrity that they could do this? What sort of lying ratbag bastard could prostitute himself in this despicable way? I’m still not sure that I believe there are such people, and I know I don’t want to believe it. Am I too trusting; do I have too much faith in my fellow man?
Comments (10)
Please discuss this fee with me as I am his un-elected Secretary
Eh, how does it work? not that I'm interested or anything.
Some people would do anything for anything for a shilling