This is an interesting article that appeared in the NYMAG by Max Reed.

http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/12/how-much-of-the-internet-is-fake.html

The Internet is Fake – Facebook, the world’s greatest data-gathering organisation is not producing genuine figures. In October, small advertisers filed a suit against the social-media giant – Facebook. Facebook was accused of overstating the time users spend watching videos on Facebook 150% to 900% more than they do.

The People are Fake – At Youtube, the company says that only a “tiny fraction” of its traffics is fake. However, that contradicted with the site purging “spam accounts” in mid-December. Times found that for only $15, 5,000 youtube videos could be purchased by an individual.

We ourselves are Fake – Years of metrics-driven growth have created an environment where it makes more sense to be fake online. As a result, is it is the norm to be disingenuous and cynical, misrepresent or distort then to be real.