this post was submitted on 26 Jun 2024
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Politics
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That's a very good question as it sure doesn't feel like misinformation has declined much in this timespan. My guess would be that the traffic is finding its way to smaller websites, like those used in astroturfing campaigns, though the article speculates that Facebook's algorithm changes may have lessened the flow of traffic to rightwing sites, and I'd guess that'd include these one-offs. Maybe X is picking up the slack there? They've certainly gotten fully unhinged and pandering to this crowd.
Could YouTube be another possibility? I think the algorithm is going strong there in favor of extremist content. My disabled dad, for example, spends his days jumping between watching shows like Cops, and watching YouTube videos of sovereign-citizen types harrassing cops. That's mixed in with all the other garbage his algorithm throws at him. Over the years he's gone from economically centre-left to fully buying into the Trump bandwagon (and we're not even American).
Whatever the answer, I think people are still getting this info from somewhere and apparently in droves.
It's definitely X. They left X because they were prevented from engaging in hate speech and held responsible for their actions. Musk created a right-wing hate safe space, and the audience for these users is much larger on X. There's also a handy way to identify your right-wing brethren with a blue check while they harass perceived liberals.
All in all, no need for Truth Social anymore.