Analysis of users involved in spreading disinformation in YouTube

Abstract

In recent years, with the rapid proliferation of social media, it has become easier for individuals to disseminate information, consequently amplifying the influence of their messages. Particularly among younger demographics, video-sharing social networking services such as YouTube are emerging as new sources of information, gradually replacing traditional television. However, this trend has led to the societal issue of misinformation spreading on social media platforms. Most recently, during the Noto Peninsula earthquake, false information regarding artificial seismic activity circulated on social media platforms, leading to a concerning increase in the number of individuals believing such misinformation. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the characteristics of videos associated with misinformation on YouTube, along with their accompanying comments, to uncover the motives of the individuals propagating such falsehoods. The findings suggest that these posters are often spurred by socially significant events to create and disseminate these videos, with the primary objective being to drive traffic to their other social media platforms or external links, such as affiliate sites.