Online astroturfing: A problem beyond disinformation (2022)
journals.sagepub.com
March 14, 2026
46 min read
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48/100
Summary
Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook significantly influence national and international events, including elections and decentralized mass protests. Recent movements for democracy in regions such as Hong Kong, Thailand, and Belarus demonstrate the power of these platforms in mobilizing public sentiment.
Key Takeaways
- Astroturfing creates a false impression of widespread sentiment for or against a product, policy, or concept, misleading the public about the actual level of support or opposition.
- The phenomenon of astroturfing is distinct from other forms of coordinated inauthentic behavior (CIB) and requires specific attention and remedies beyond its connection to disinformation.
- Astroturfing can negatively influence societal norms and crowd wisdom, potentially leading to the stabilization of suboptimal beliefs and practices.
- Astroturfing occurs both online and offline, with real-life examples including paid participants at protests and town hall meetings.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- There is a critical need for engineers to develop technical safeguards against astroturfing, which could prevent further erosion of trust in online information.
- Recognizing the prevalence of astroturfing encourages individuals to critically assess the authenticity of online interactions, fostering a more discerning digital society.
Concerns
- Astroturfing is poisoning the fabric of society, as it creates a pervasive environment where interactions are often fake and manipulative.
- The rise of AI-powered astroturfing services poses a significant threat, as it could lead to widespread misinformation and manipulation in political and social contexts.
- The anonymity provided by platforms like Reddit enables astroturfers to operate without accountability, exacerbating the issue of disinformation.