”Comment to Get Freebie”
Everyone’s always looking for the next way to “hack the algorithm.” You’ve seen the trends come and go from “post three times a day” to “use this magic sound.” Another one particularly on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter is…..asking people to comment something like “LET’S GO” just to get a free download. Suddenly you’re doing tricks like a seal at the circus just to access a PDF that could have been sent with a single click.
We don’t work like that. Yes, we have freebies. No, we won’t make you type Banana Hammock, jump through three hoops and a chant to get them. If you want it, we’ll give you the link.
So why do businesses do this “comment for freebie” thing? And why don’t we?
The Marketing Psychology Behind It
There’s a method to the madness
- Algorithms reward engagement. Every comment, like, or share tells the platform, “Hey, people are into this,” so the post gets shown to more people.
- It creates a sense of belonging. Typing “LET’S GO” can feel like joining a team, even if it’s just performative hype.
- It slows you down. Making you take multiple steps before the freebie increases the chance you’ll hand over your email because you’re already invested.
From a marketer’s perspective, it works but it’s not the greatest long-term idea. Here’s why!
1. Comments Are Not Created Equal
The algorithm doesn’t just count the number of comments. It often weighs the quality and length of them. A post with 50 one-word comments like “YES!” is treated differently than a post with 10 comments that are 5–7 words long and start a genuine conversation.
The algorithm is designed to reward meaningful social interactions. It sees a long, thoughtful comment as a much stronger signal of value than a quick, generic one. The “BANANA HAMMOCK” tactic, while generating a high volume of comments, is essentially teaching the algorithm that your content is only worthy of low-effort, low-value engagement.
2. The “Engagement Velocity” Factor
This refers to how quickly a post gets engagement after it’s published. The first 30–60 minutes are often the most critical for a post’s performance.
The “comment to get a freebie” tactic creates an immediate surge of comments because people are motivated the freebie. This rapid engagement signals to the algorithm that the post is “hot” and should be shown to a wider audience. It’s a way to game the system. The catch? It’s a sugar high. Once the initial rush is over, engagement often plummets, and the algorithm may deprioritise the post in the long run.
3. The Downside of “Engagement Bait”
Platforms are actively trying to penalise this type of behaviour. Facebook, Instagram, and others have openly said they demote content that uses “engagement bait” — tactics that exist only to manipulate engagement signals without providing real value.
Sure, you might slip through the cracks, but it’s risky. Posts can be flagged, reach can shrink, and in some cases, accounts can take a hit. You don’t want to build your strategy on a house of cards. You can learn about Meta view on this here.
Another useful article about LinkedIn is this from Hootsuite that discusses among other things how its algorithm is improving at detecting engagement bait (such as “Comment YES if you agree!” aka BANANA HAMMOCK) and prioritising meaningful conversations instead.
4. It Trains Your Audience (and the Algorithm) for the Wrong Thing
This is the big one. When you make people perform a trick for a freebie, you’re training them to expect that transaction every time. They learn they only get value if they “do something” for you. The side-effect? When you later post something with no freebie attached — just an idea, a story, or a piece of advice — people are less likely to engage. The algorithm learns this too and may start treating your content as less valuable for natural, unprompted interaction. For solo and small business owners, this is particularly tricky. When budgets are tight and confidence is shaky, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the person handing out the freebie must have the magic solution. Filling in a questionnaire or typing “YES” into the comments box can feel like a small price to pay for expert advice. The problem is, you’re not actually building trust.
Why Small Businesses Use This Device
Let’s be fair — small business owners are often just trying to keep their heads above water. They see gurus using this tactic and think it’s what they should do too. When you’re juggling everything yourself, any shortcut that promises results is tempting.
The problem is what works for a guru with a massive following doesn’t always translate when you’ve got 10 followers, real-world customers, and limited time. Your people aren’t looking for a gimmick, they just want the thing you’re offering.
Why We Don’t Do “Comment for Freebie” at Rawmarrow
Our clients are small and solo business owners. They don’t have time for rah-rah hype. They’re not here for chants in the comments, they’re here to get on with building their business.
That’s why our approach is simple:
- Tell you what’s available.
- Give you the link.
- Let you decide if you want it.
We’d rather attract people who value clarity and trust than train people to perform for a download. Marketing doesn’t have to be manipulative to work.
If you love hype, there are plenty of places you can find it. But if you roll your eyes at being asked to type “LET’S GO” in all caps for a freebie, you’re our kind of people.
