Offline status affects how people are seen online, and vice versa. A famous person with an infrequently updated or mundane Twitter feed might have hundreds of thousands of followers, while an unknown person with sparkling wit could come to prominence on the service. Those who use and talk about Twitter like to promote the idea that good content is rewarded most, but it is clear that often sensationalism or celebrity is more likely to boost follower numbers.

Alice E. Marwick, Status Update, loc. 261