Editing Chain letter (section)

{{Short description|Letter written in succession by a group of people}}
{{Redirect|Email chain letter|email chains in the sense of email threads|Conversation threading}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}

A '''chain letter''' is a [[message]] that attempts to convince the recipient to make a number of copies and pass them on to a certain number of recipients. The "chain" is an exponentially growing pyramid (a [[Tree (graph theory)|tree graph]]) that cannot be sustained indefinitely.

Common methods used in chain letters include [[Psychological manipulation|emotionally manipulative]] stories, [[Make Money Fast|get-rich-quick]] [[pyramid scheme]]s, and the exploitation of [[superstition]] to threaten the recipient with misfortune or promise good luck. Originally, chain letters were [[Letter (message)|letters]] sent by mail; today, chain letters are often sent electronically via [[email]], [[Social network service|social network sites]], and [[Text messaging|text messages]].