FS7: FS7 II Competition

I don't know exactly how youtube works with views and likes. But there was something odd with an entry I was looking at. At one point it had more likes than views. Currently has 1574 likes from 1723 views. That's an insane conversion rate of views to likes.

Anyone else find this a little odd?
 
So I was analysing the stats of 44 competition entries (from most viewed down). I calculated the actual percentage of likes from views. Most are below 20% a couple in the 20's, one at 41% and one at 56%. But out of 44 videos, its mainly 10-20%.

Then there is this one video at 90%. It caught my attention initially yesterday as had more likes than views. That's no longer the case, as it's currently 1629 likes from 1811 views, but 90%. Please someone agree with me that this looks dodgy?
 
To be honest everyone is going to be trying to game the system. The nature of 'likes' based competitions is basically an invitation to cheat. Some people do it better/harder than others.


Also I believe likes are instantaneous whereas the views are updated at certain periods.
 
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Ben Scott said:
To be honest everyone is going to be trying to game the system. The nature of 'lokes' based competitions is basically an invitation to cheat. Some people do it better/harder than others.


Also I believe likes are instantaneous whereas the views are updated at certain periods.
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Yeah I've been looking into it, the likes aren't always up to date. But then if you think about it, this video had a 100% like from view ratio up to the 1300 likes point approx.

I'm keeping an eye on these stats, overnight an additional 127 view.....and an additional 127 likes.
 
Nothing to keep your eye on to be honest. They're just gaming it better than anyone else. Every single competition that makes use of social media is won by this method.

If I was entering it I'd be asking everyone on the other non-camera forums I frequent to give me a vote/like and most people on there would watch 5 secs before pressing 'like' and switching off.
 
I guess when 1000 likes can be bought for £40 then those of us with integrity just don't stand a chance.
 
mattjeh said:
I don't know exactly how youtube works with views and likes. But there was something odd with an entry I was looking at. At one point it had more likes than views. Currently has 1574 likes from 1723 views. That's an insane conversion rate of views to likes.

Anyone else find this a little odd?
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Probably he has 1574 friends:).
 
mattjeh said:
Fair play, he obviously has a means to a large audience. It is a shame that every entrant can't be judged on its own merit, but with so many entrants I can understand why there has to be some sort of pre-judging filter (youtube likes).
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Also, it's a promotional thing for Sony, they obviously want it spread to as many people as possible... so having a bunch of contestants pestering all their contacts for a while is free marketing for them.

But, I'm pretty sure that there's ways to get views and like on YouTube by shady means. Just like you can buy followers on Instagram and Twitter etc...

In the competition I was in, there was one who got a large number of votes in a very short time, I checked him out and he didn't even mention the competition on any of his social media pages I could find, or anywhere... so how did he get all those votes?

Since then I promised myself not to partake in a completion that demands that I ask my friends for favours. Although I'll probably will at some point anyway, can be a good kick in the butt to get a film done, these competitions.
 
Yea the free marketing for Sony would be significant. It's all about balance in terms of how much to bug your friends for likes, or comes down to how many friends do you want to have left after the competition is over?

I think it is possible to have a video that hits an audience online outside of your social circles, but it's difficult. If only we can get 95% of people to like every video, which this guy has.... huh huh.

All said and done, my entry will never get anywhere in the competition but it's got me off my arse to produce something I'm proud of and can use as showreel material. And for that im happy I've put in the effort.
 
Same here!:))
Unfortunately I won't have enough likes, so competition is over for me. Even I am not happy with it (yes likes and views can be bougth - google it) I am still happy with my results. Like you said I finally closed internet and started shooting and I have learnt many new things. And maybe new gig based on what I have created. I will probably atend in more competition in the future just becase makes me do stuff!
 
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