SHOULD BRANDS BLOCK THEIR COMPETITORS ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

Summary from the TLDR Marketing newsletter

Brands should consider blocking competitors on social media when those competitors use comment sections to attack or undermine them. For example, Lingoda, a smaller language-learning app, publicly criticized Duolingo after Duolingo announced an AI-first approach, sparking a viral comment with over 17,000 likes. Although this likely didn't harm Duolingo's subscribers, it increased awareness of Lingoda among Duolingo's followers. Deleting hostile comments and blocking competitors helps protect the community and brand presence. While some fear blocking looks insecure, this concern is not strong. Brands should stay ready to act when competitors cross the line but don't need to block proactively.