this post was submitted on 26 Aug 2026
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Out of the loop

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In local community FB posts I'm seeing replies from people with usernames like DaringAlligator2732 and ConcernedHomeowner14048. These don't seem like the "real identity" facebook usernames; they kind of feel like anonymous or sometimes even randomly generated names. How and why does that happen? Has it been happening for a long time?

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[–] slazer2au@lemmy.world 22 points 3 days ago

Bots.
Need to drive that engagement now that fb has pretty much hit the limit on organic user growth.

[–] Thatoneguy@sh.itjust.works 14 points 3 days ago

Pretty sure this is just a new way of anonymous posting. I run my local FB community page and it recently asked me if I wanted to allow "nicknames" in the group. Assuming that's what these are it just allows people another way to not associate their real name with what they are saying.

[–] amio@lemmy.world 10 points 3 days ago

Apparently a new twist where you can be anonymous, because Facebook just wasn't cancer enough as it was

[–] Bluegrass_Addict@lemmy.ca 6 points 3 days ago (1 children)

looks like the exact same system that Reddit used for their trashy usernames too

wouldn't be surprised if it's all the same database

[–] Aeri@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

To be fair all the real usernames have dried up on sites that have like a billion users. How the fuck am I supposed to register a new account on a website when every possible permutation of anything I would actually want as a username is already claimed?

[–] scytale@piefed.zip 4 points 3 days ago

That’s an option for people to post/reply anonymously. It has its uses, like if you want to ask an embarrassing question on a public group. But as anything else. obviously it can be abused.