F*ck your metrics

So I've been having the same conversation on Bluesky and Farcaster, so might as well make a blogpost out of it:

https://bsky.app/profile/danielfernand.es/post/3kvrs3bf6v22y

and:

Farcaster

Daniel Fernandes on Warpcast

I'm skeptical of all metrics. Standstill, growing, dying...doesn't matter to me. All I care about is I find signal over noise. There could be a handful of users, but if that handful was say, Von Neumann and Ramanujan, you wouldn't be able to pull me away.

In a world dominated by social media, the obsession with quantitative metrics has reached an all-time high. Clicks, likes, shares, and followers have become the currency of online success. But what happens when these numbers are inflated by bots and spam? What value do they hold when the primary questions remain unasked: Are users finding signal over noise? Is the content they're engaging with truly quality over quantity?

The problem is multi-faceted. First, let's address the bots and spam. Automation has made it easy for fake accounts to proliferate, distorting engagement metrics. These inflated numbers might look impressive on a dashboard, but they misrepresent actual user engagement. If your audience is half bots, what does a million followers really mean? It’s a hollow victory.

Next, consider the emphasis on quantity over quality. Social networks reward posts that generate the most immediate reactions, often favoring sensationalism over substance. The algorithmic chase for higher numbers can lead to a flood of low-quality content, burying valuable information under a deluge of mediocrity. Users may find themselves scrolling endlessly, sifting through noise in search of signal.

This brings us to the heart of the issue: Are we asking the right questions? Metrics alone can't capture the nuances of user experience. A high number of likes on a post doesn't necessarily indicate its value or relevance. We need to shift our focus to qualitative assessments. Are users finding the content useful, informative, or entertaining? Are they deriving genuine value from their interactions?

To address this, platforms must develop better tools for discerning quality. Sentiment analysis, user feedback loops, and more sophisticated filtering algorithms could help ensure that meaningful content rises above the clutter. Furthermore, encouraging authentic engagement rather than superficial interaction can foster a healthier digital ecosystem.

In conclusion, it's time to say 'f*ck your metrics.' Numbers can be deceiving, especially in an environment swarming with bots and spam. Instead, we should prioritize understanding the true impact of content. Are users finding signal over noise? Are they encountering quality rather than quantity? Only by addressing these deeper questions can social media achieve its full potential as a conduit for valuable human connection."