Since a certain fake chameleon video is making the viral rounds, and @_TheSeaning got his gorgeous work ripped off again, i think it's time for a refresher on how to tell if an account you follow is a worthless, parasitic content aggregator.

Step 1: look at the follow ratio.

Step 2: Check the bio. Usually there is little to no indication that the account has an actual human - let alone a practicing scientist, artist, or photographer behind it. "@/Buitengebieden" is an exception, but even there the bio info is minimal & sketchy.

Step 3: Content scrapers/aggregators/THIEVES often have a weaselly (& legally meaningless) disclaimer line like this in their bio. This is 100% bullshit. This account also wants you to SUPPORT THEIR THEFT

These accounts grow their followers artificially in a lot of cases, but they have HUGE reach. They dilute the ability of content creators to earn a living or even take proper credit for their work. And, a lot of what they post is altered, or just plain false. Don't help them.

If *you* have a large number of followers, or even if you don't, consider it your civic duty to cull these accounts out of your follow list, & to block them whenever they appear in your timeline.

@PicPedant has been exposing these parasites for years and is worth a follow!

Also: Try not to quote-tweet these accounts (or MAGAchuds/COVID conspiracy fools/assholes in general), it just gets them even more exposure. Screenshot if you must.

(Follow Seán for heck's sake! His spectacular videos will destress you!) https://twitter.com/_theseaning/status/1327635045876719616

For a deep dive into the actual financial consequences (or lack thereof) of going viral, this article by @LuBellWoo remains a gold standard. https://www.patreon.com/posts/financial-of-15500234