See a great deal on your feed? Here’s why it could be a slick scam that takes your money fast.
Reset your social media algorithms
ChatGPT
Ever scroll through Instagram or Facebook and wonder, Why am I still seeing goat yoga videos and political or family drama from 2009? Our social media feeds are Frankenstein monsters built from everything we’ve clicked on, liked, hovered over or even winced at for half a second.
Good news: You can hit the big, shiny RESET. Let’s declutter the chaos.
📸 Instagram: Wipe it clean
Instagram learns your taste based on Reels, Explore clicks and who you engage with. Accidentally watched a slime video one too many times? Now it thinks you’re obsessed. Here’s how to fix that:
- Go to your profile and tap the three-line menu.
- Tap Settings & activity > Content preferences.
- Choose Reset suggested content.
📘 Facebook: Take back your feed
If your Facebook feed still thinks you’re close to deciding the fate of American politics, reuniting with old friends you muted in your head years ago, and laughing at several pages dedicated to Minion memes, time for a change.
Quick fixes:
- Hit the three dots on any post and choose Not interested to see fewer posts like it or Unfollow to stop seeing updates (they won’t know).
- Want someone to appear first? Tap those three dots and select Favorites.
- Head to Settings & privacy > Settings > Accounts Center > Ad Preferences to adjust what shows up.
🐦 Twitter/X: Bring forth sanity
Elon’s playground gives you two feed views: the chaotic, algorithm-curated “For You” or good old-fashioned chronological order.
Here’s how to switch:
Real tagline or fever dream?
ChatGPT
It’s Friday, and while I have my usual mix of news and tips to keep you tech ahead and not tech left behind, let’s have some fun, too. I’m sure you know that companies toss millions of dollars into the marketing volcano, hoping to birth the next “Just Do It.”
Meta’s scam spiral: Facebook and Instagram reportedly ran God only knows how many shady ads tied to scams from fake food giveaways to nonexistent golden retrievers. Internal docs say the company avoided cracking down to keep the $$$ flowing. JPMorgan says half of Zelle scam complaints lead straight back to Meta. Turns out “move fast and break things” meant “let’s break trust.”
🔗 Don’t connect your socials: Unless you’re an influencer, it’s best to keep your accounts separate. Linking apps, like putting your Instagram in your Facebook bio, makes it easier for stalkers to track your life and location. Use different usernames, handles and profile pictures to stay safe.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: On Facebook, go to Settings > Privacy > “Who can look you up?” and lock it down to friends only.
Scammers listed her home online — May 17th, Hour 2
Strangers kept showing up at her door, but her house wasn’t for rent. A scammer listed it on Facebook. Plus, Waymo chaos and a Disney+ warning for parents. I also talk to Earl from Chicago, who needs tech help to officiate his daughter’s wedding.
Major AI breakthrough — May 17th, Hour 4
Google’s DeepMind and Project Zero built an AI that found a security flaw faster than any human. Wild. Plus, planning a shopping trip? The weather could impact your store discount. I also talk to the teens who made $1 million selling junk on Facebook.
Fake AI video generators: Hackers have a new trick: websites that promise to turn your images into videos. But once you upload a file, they send back a ZIP named something like “VideoDreamMachineAI.mp4.exe.” The twist? It’s actually malware that steals your personal info. Watch out for them in Facebook groups especially.
Delete a selfie? Facebook saw it — May 10th, Hour 1
Post a pic. Regret it. Delete it. Facebook tracked when teen girls did that, says a former company exec. Then, at that moment, it allegedly hit them with beauty ads. Plus, NYC tests crime-predicting AI and drivers want buttons back in cars. I also talk to Ken from Ohio, who says his Apple Watch saved his life.
Targeted beauty: This is nuts. Facebook allegedly tracked teen girls deleting selfies and waited like an algorithmic vulture to serve them beauty ads at their weakest moment. “This is what puts money in all our pockets,” one exec reportedly said. Emotional damage, now with 20% more ROI.
👥 Walk down memory lane: Just open the Facebook app, go to a friend’s profile, tap the three dots (on the right) then select See friendship. You’ll see all the posts and photos you’re in together plus any networks you share. Try it with your best buddies.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Google yourself and add “site:facebook.com” or “site:linkedin.com” to see what strangers can find about you.
⚠️ Scammers are back at it: This time using fake Facebook posts about a “missing police officer” named Carolyn Lynch. The goal? Tug at your heartstrings so you’ll share it, unknowingly flagging yourself as an easy target for future scams. Don’t fall for it.
💬 Name dropper: Give your family and friends fun nicknames on Facebook Messenger. Just open a conversation from the Chats tab. Tap their name at the top, and go to Nicknames > [their name] > Save (iOS) or Set (Android) when you’re done. The other person will see it, so keep it friendly.
🤖 Llama mia: Meta just launched a stand-alone AI app (iOS, Android) to compete against ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, Perplexity, Copilot, Claude and all the others. It’s the same chatbot you’ve used inside Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp, built on their Llama model. I’ll report back after I’ve used it for a bit.
Tariff relief? More like tariff thief. If you spot ads on Facebook for things like a $750 “tariff relief credit,” don’t click on them (paywall link). These bogus posts trick you into filling out forms or calling a number that steals your info. Everywhere you turn, there’s another scam.
👱♀️ Face value: Your profile pic matters online. You’re 14 times more likely to get noticed with a professional photo on LinkedIn. Selling on Facebook Marketplace? A friendly image builds trust, while a grumpy face can scare people away. And smiling leads to more right swipes on dating apps.
💸 Something borrowed: Need a tool for just one job? Renting can save you big, but most rental listings aren’t clearly marketed on sites like Facebook Marketplace. Look for keywords like “daily rate,” “for rent” or “short-term use.” If the price seems surprisingly low, it’s likely a rental fee for the day or hour, not a sale price.
The rental was fake
A Michigan mom thought she found the perfect home to rent on Facebook. Instead, she walked into a scam that cost her $2,500.