Dev Tools · 1h ago
Bot detector flags 95% fake followers, but author misses the real tell
A developer built a classifier to check followers after noticing a mismatch between follower count and views. The tool flagged 95% as fake, matching his theory exactly. He later realized the measurement was too convenient, and a control group revealed the flaw.
Meridian48 take
The story is a useful reminder that even technical people can fall for confirmation bias, but it's a niche personal anecdote rather than a major tech event.
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My bot detector said 95% fake. It agreed with me instantly — that was the tell. →
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bot-detectionconfirmation-bias