The concept refers to applications, typically third-party, that claim to provide users with a list of individuals who have viewed their Facebook profile. These apps propose to offer insight into user activity beyond the standard metrics provided by the Facebook platform itself. An example would be an application marketed as “Profile Tracker” that promises to reveal the identities of those who have looked at a user’s profile.
The significance of such applications lies in their potential to satisfy a user’s curiosity about who is interested in their online presence. This can be perceived as a benefit for individuals seeking to gauge their social influence or to identify potential connections. Historically, the desire to understand social interactions has fueled the development of numerous tools and services designed to analyze online behavior; however, the accuracy and legitimacy of these tools have often been questionable.