👉 Popularity engineering refers to the practice where organizations or individuals manipulate their metrics, such as likes, shares, or views, to artificially inflate their perceived popularity or influence. This can occur through various tactics, including creating fake accounts, buying engagement, or strategically posting content to maximize visibility. While it may temporarily boost a platform's or influencer's popularity, it often leads to long-term negative consequences, such as diminished trust from the audience and a loss of genuine engagement. The practice undermines the authenticity of online interactions and can distort the true value and impact of content, ultimately harming the integrity of digital platforms.
