Why do votes vanish?

[AchtungNight]

I've noticed with stories I've posted that votes on Lit vanish after a time, seemingly without reason. This usually has a negative effect on my stories' ratings. Can anyone explain it to me please?

 

[Guest]

I've noticed with stories I've posted that votes on Lit vanish after a time, seemingly without reason. This usually has a negative effect on my stories' ratings. Can anyone explain it to me please?

It's a phenomenon known as "sweeps," conducted by Literotic itself. as I understand it, they've programmed their server to look for patterns of voting that suggest someone is artificially raising or lowering scores on stories--for instance, voting all 5's or all 1's. Those votes are then "swept" so that posted stories, in theory, display more accurate ratings.

There are several other threads that would probably do a better job of explaining it. Here's one.

You're not alone--we've all lost votes. Frustrating, though, isn't it?

 

[Darkniciad]

Lit "sweeps" votes considered suspicious by the software. The primary function is to remove multiple votes by the same user. It is speculated that the Lit "Hoover" also has criteria that looks for other suspicious activity, such as habitual, rapid 1 voting.

If your score usually falls when a sweep removes a vote, then you probably have a cheerleader or two -- fans who vote 5 more than once, either just because they really like your story, or in a purposeful attempt to raise your story's score in the rankings.

It doesn't hurt to mention to your readers every so often ( replying to feedback, or on a blog/website if you have one ) that multiple votes don't do any good, and that all of the votes a person casts may be removed if they vote more than once, resulting in a negative impact on your score.

Once I started doing this, the day-to-day sweeps only hit me every once in a while, and my score almost always goes up. Prior to doing that, I saw sweeps on a regular basis, and my scores frequently went down.

Contest sweeps, which happen during themed contests or monthly contest tallies, are another story. Those sweeps cut bone deep, and aren't limited to contest stories. Because there are cash prizes involved, the sweeper works extra hard, likely removing legitimate votes while rooting out suspicious ones.

Those sweeps are unfortunately necessary when we have a few "bestsellers" that constantly click and vote on their own work with software that attempts to elude the Hoover.

 

[AchtungNight]

Thanks for the explanations. I never vote on my own work, but it doesn't surprise me that there are people out there who vote more than once. Thanks to all who vote as my cheerleaders, but please, take Darkniclad's advice. I don't want my ratings falling over your enthusiasm. Thanks in advance.

This doesn't matter, I just wanted it explained. I will keep writing and posting stories as long as I'm inspired. I know people like what I put out, and I'm glad for it. Hope all the great writers here feel the same.

Coming soon- "Rekindled." Two old lovers meet up again on Halloween night and ignite flames readers thought were doused.

 

[Darkniciad]

Thanks for the explanations. I never vote on my own work, but it doesn't surprise me that there are people out there who vote more than once. Thanks to all who vote as my cheerleaders, but please, take Darkniclad's advice. I don't want my ratings falling over your enthusiasm. Thanks in advance.

This doesn't matter, I just wanted it explained. I will keep writing and posting stories as long as I'm inspired. I know people like what I put out, and I'm glad for it. Hope all the great writers here feel the same.

Coming soon- "Rekindled." Two old lovers meet up again on Halloween night and ignite flames readers thought were doused.

If it's set on Halloween, don't forget about the contest

http://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=602241

 

[AchtungNight]

It's not for the contest, but thanks.