Zakynthos Informer Zakynthos Informer
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Recently, Zakynthos Informer has been speaking with some businesses owners around the Island after complaints by some bussinesses in tourist resorts. One serious note of complaint was the increase in Zakynthos Social media pages, which has dramatically risen to what they say as “a ridiculous amount” over the last few years. Even worse as they say, some are having a direct negative impact on businesses around most of the popular tourist areas in Zakynthos.
What they told us seems to be a disturbing situation on the rise, due to covid? Or is it a new found way to take advantage of those trying to make a living in tourism?
On some specific Zakynthos resort-based pages, fake posts are being added by admins to advertise certain businesses; the admins, in return, are receiving kickbacks in exchange for the promotion or a mention of those businesses on their social media pages. One in particular, we were told, would send messages or e-mails direct to the companies asking for money, in exchange to promote their business, as they said they had the followers, when in fact most of the person’s followers were somehow “bought” and added, to look as though he had the followers. In this particular case, the social media page run by this certain person when we checked, is not even a legal social media business to even be able to offer advertising on his page. Of course once money was exchanged the then “admin” would tell his clients not to tag him on any posts. Why, we would ask? Benefits and tax free for himself, perhaps, one can see however, that he is not having the island’s interest as a whole and is basically taking advantage of Zakynthos as a product to benefit from. In fact the page isn’t even registered, so how can one ask someone else to pay for services that are illegal? How can one get away with such acts is absolutely appalling. Even social influencers or companies hosting advertising always make it known that they are doing so, including terms and conditions etc.
Other Social media page admins are benefiting from free food, drink and other freebies for the duration of their holidays, whilst falsely advertising to unwitting group members. Or using Facebook messenger to directly promote venues to unsuspecting group members.
Honest and hardworking Greek businesses have discovered what’s happening and are angry about the actions of Social Media group owners whose groups which focus on tourist areas such as Argasi, Alykanas, Kalamaki, Lagana and Tsilivi. The actions of these admins are affecting Zakynthos businesses and even fake bad reviews are being allowed to help benefit “thier own”, businesses where their admins are receiving kickbacks.
This is affecting local businesses and some local businesses are being forced to give kickbacks to prevent their business from getting bad reviews on social media. One local in Argasi said, “Although I don’t own a business directed to tourism, I am told by my friends who are, that admins on certain Facebook pages are making themselves known to restaurants and bars demanding freebies so as to get more likes and more customers through ‘advertising’ their business in this way.”
He goes on to say, “the business owners, more than often succumb to their requests due to the problem over the last couple of years of the pandemic, financial difficulties and they feel as though they have no other choice, fearing bad reviews on Social media, which has already happened numerous times to some of my friends, it isn’t fair and it should be stopped, admins should be more responsible.”
Another local resident in Tsilivi complains of similar actions saying that this causes a big problem and it’s unfair to people that have worked hard to keep their businesses alive. Whilst another well known businessman told us that he often gets e-mails or people just turn up to rent a car and demand some form of kickback if they promote him and will give him great reviews. We asked him if he did give them what they wanted and he mentioned that he didn’t, “funnily enough where we were a 4.9 rating, our rating went down as reviews started coming in from people who hadn’t even rented a car from us. It always seems around July they start, as for us we can see if the people have hired from us as their details are recorded and after each rental there is always a review sheet that we ask our customers to fill in before they leave. This is how we know that most of the bad reviews that come in at that time are fake.”
It was only the other day that we read a complaint from one social media page that their admin had been approached by a member and was asked “What do you get out of it?” The whole thread of comments was around the very topic we are talking about now.
However, there are many good social media pages and groups for Zakynthos who wholeheartedly support the island, businesses and residents. It’s these few bad pages that are designed to benefit only a certain few, that are the problem. These groups should look at why they originally started their groups, surely not to promote specific places for their own benefit, which we remind you is totally against all Social media’s terms and conditions, but to promote Zakynthos as a whole and treat her people in all fairness and goodwill.
Let’s hope that readers choose wisely when looking at Social media pages, Zakynthos should be explored and social media definitely helps. Visitors to our Island should also be aware as to what is available on our island and have a free choice to visit places, eat at restaurants and even tours. It’s up to our social media groups to provide that for them and not be one sided in representing what our Island has to offer. Nor should the groups take advantage of its members so as to line their own pockets or holiday with freebies, it just doesn’t help our Island at all.
