In a survey of 1,793 people, a whopping 53% said their most annoying contacts on social media are the ones who constantly post updates on their fitness and latest diet. Those who posted pictures of their dinner irked 45% of respondents, while another 36% would happily do without friends posting news about their babies, though this was surprisingly only fifth on the top ten of social media irritants.
Moreover, the survey, commissioned by Sweatband.com, found more than half the respondents reduced their social media use to block the irritating notifications. So what’s our problem with hearing about wellness updates? Sweatband.com’s Maz Darvish said, ‘We all have those friends who tell us about every single calorie they burn. Whilst social media has given us a great way to keep in touch, it’s also given us another way to bombard people with things they just don’t care about.’
Tailing behind fitness freaks and foodies were the self-consciously enigmatic, who write mysterious status updates to get their friends’ attention. Vague updates that beg for people to ask questions, and are answered with ‘I don’t want to talk to about it’, irritated 42% of respondents. In between cryptic status writers and pushy parents were online game players, loathed by 37% of respondents. No, we do not want to send you a cow to keep your Farmville going.
In at number six were social media users who aren’t afraid to share incredibly personal details (36%), followed by users who check in at every single place they go to, irking 26% of respondents. 25% reviled event spammers, who invite you to every event they can think of, even when you don’t live in the same city as them. At number nine, constant commenters, who like and engage with every post they see, annoyed 22% of the survey participants, and, finally, self-promoters, or small business owners who treat every friend or follower like a prospective customer brought up the rear with 19%.