Influence Without Metrics: Analyzing the Impact of Far-Right Users in an Online Discussion Forum

The study presented in this article explores the processes through which influence takes shape eclectic online forums with few vanity metrics. Using a dataset of 7.5 million posts large Swedish discussion forum Flashback, it who becomes influential, their strategies for appealing to community, and others’ support them. While has been known that Flashback hosts far-right users content, current shows these sentiments are not fringe or obscure, but instead seemingly widely supported influential forum. It illustrates users—those acknowledged by others as important—exclusively continuously expressed ideas displayed an embeddedness within far-right, well forum’s culture. finds despite visible markers, many learned recognize content worthy support. In absence built-in functions, some engaged manual “liking” “sharing” users’ via replies, acknowledging way legitimize At same time, analysis showcased how lack metrics countered potential echo chamber effects disliked users—advocating progressive gender immigration ideas—were unintentionally amplified those attempted silence also discusses role platform proliferation hate.