MySpace (Finally) Stops Spam

It’s been a long time coming, but MySpace has finally come up with a way to stop all the spam that has made the site almost unbearable for many users. On Tom’s blog, amid other site announcements, is the mention of key new features that every MySpacer should take notice of: new ways to block automated friend requests. Automated friend requests are the friend requests that are sent out by spammers (or really needy people) using a software program that crawls the site automating the process of clicking the "add to friends" button on people’s profile pages. These programs are only stifled by MySpace’s daily limit of 500 requests per day, so it doesn’t take long for a spammer to acquire thousands of unsuspecting users as their "friends." Now, with the new settings, you have more options to cut down on these types of requests. Unfortunately, none of the new options are turned on by default, so you will need to go into your MySpace Account Settings to make the changes. Click on "Account Settings" from your MySpace "Home" page. Once in the Account Settings, look for a new tab labeled "Spam." In this area, there are a variety of things you can do - you can make it so someone must be your friend to send you a message; you can set it so someone cannot add you without knowing your last name or email; or you can set it so someone must enter a CAPTCHA to send you a friend request. Additionally, you can configure similar settings for comments, group invites, event invites, and IM requests. Better late than never, MySpace.

Subscribe to this blog's RSS feed

This week, the Nielsen Company began the public beta testing of an online social network called Hey!Nielsen. The network is a place where pop culture enthusiasts a chance to make their voice heard. Says Karen Watson, Senior Vice President of Communications at The Nielsen Company, and Executive Sponsor of Hey! Nielsen, “If you’re passionate about any aspect of the entertainment world, you will find like-minded consumers on Hey! Nielsen.  We hope this will be a fun place to share opinions and discuss your favorite shows, movies and music.  And because we will be providing our clients with insights from Hey! Nielsen members, joining the network is a way to let the entertainment industry know what you think.” 

At Hey!Nielsen, you can:

• Voice your opinions by grading your favorite music, TV show, or movie. Others can see these rating and comment on them.
• Build a profile and a network of "recommenders" (aka friends) who share your tastes
• Contribute to the Hey!Nielsen Score, which is a measurement of the "buzz" of a particular star, show, movie, etc. (The score is a combination of many factors including users’ opinions and ratings on Hey!Nielsen, internet buzz, and raw data from Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and BlogBuzz.)
• Get Widgets! Hey!Nielsen widgets will be available for your desktop, website, blog, or social network profile page.

The information gathered from the Hey!Nielsen website will supplement Nielsen Research’s existing products including Nielsen Media Research (TV Ratings), SoundScan (Music), and Nielsen EDI (Box Office Info). Nielsen will also launch ¡Oye! Nielsen, a Spanish-language version of the website in January.