Many accounts aren’t actually Twitter users, but automated accounts created specifically to build inflated follower numbers and/or broadcast marketing messages or SPAM links. Many of these accounts aren’t monitored by human beings at all, thus following them merely floods your twitterstream with nonsense.

By following only those accounts that interact with me in some meaningful way I separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak – thus preventing my stream from being inundated with useless bullshit from Twitter accounts created solely to pollute social media with get rich quick schemes and “As Seen On TV” product pitches.

So, my not following everyone who follows me isn’t at all about being rude, ignoring people or social media snobbery. Rather it is about building rapport with real human beings who are interested in actually communicating, rather than missing out on that opportunity because my Twitterstream is peppered with stupidity being broadcast by automated Twitter accounts and bots.

That said, to each his own in the realm of social media. There is no right or wrong way to use Twitter and we all have to find what’s best for us as we traverse this new landscape known as the social web.

I’ve got a lot of conservative pals – @chris_hart and @steveplunkett, just to name a couple. Wait…perhaps they aren’t the best example of “not crazy”. They’re both clearly crazy, but in the best possible ways! ;)

I’m glad you enjoy my tweets and that you get something useful from them. Anyone who is amused by the ongoing banter between Lisa & I is definitely someone who belongs in my Twittersphere. :)
Alysson´s last blog ..A Personal Update

Second, although I am a conservative crazy, I still love you Aly, love your crazy liberalism, but mostly, love your search insights, and that’s the biggie for me – I’m like you that I want to get something from the people I follow, and you give me something good on a regular basis.

Last but not least, I love watching you and @lisabarone poke each other ;-)

Thanks for bringing up thos oldie-but-goodie post.

And yes, the number of people I’m following has gone up over the past several months. That’s what happens when people actually engage me, rather than just being creepy Tweavesdroppers. ;)

I see you are now following 356 and have 1947 followers. Following another 60 or so in the last 4 months…

I have to say that my zeal for adding search industry peers/heros to my follow list is matched only by the daily number of spammers that add me to their follow list. I only get a few a day, so it’s still at a level where I can check their profile and decide if they’re worth a follow.

Anyway, I’m rambling here. And btw, your list of followers just went up by one :)

-Matt

Heh, I see what our Eye is soakin’ in…

My sight is rather fluid on this matter, so I enjoy being absorbed by your views Here. Thanks Allyson.

Many of those I follow on Twitter at this point have carried on a conversation or interacted with me in some way after having followed me, and that conversation took place even though I don’t believe in auto or reciprocal following.

As I’ve always said in relation to Twitter, to each his (or her) own. What works for me doesn’t work for everyone…and what works for others doesn’t work for me.

Alyssons latest words of wisdom – My Near Death Experience

You clearly followed them initially for a reason. Now, if you said their tweets didn’t live up to your expectations or they simply tweet a lot of random crap that doesn’t interest you, okay…unfollow away. But to unfollow someone just because they don’t follow you – that doesn’t make sense to me.

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I appreciate it. :)

Alyssons latest words of wisdom – My Near Death Experience