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BumRushDaShow

(144,257 posts) Mon Nov 18, 2024, 01:38 PM Nov 18

1 in 5 U.S. adults get their news from social media influencers, according to Pew report

Source: NBC News

Nov. 18, 2024, 10:00 AM EST

Social media influencers were a hot topic during the 2024 presidential race as both parties courted creators ahead of the election. Now, a new Pew Research Center survey reveals just how impactful so-called news influencers are in the current information ecosystem. About 21% of U.S. adults are turning to news influencers for information, with most saying creators “helped them better understand current events and civic issues,” according to the study.

The number was higher among young adults, with 37% of people ages 18 to 29 saying they turn to influencers for news. Pew surveyed 10,000 adults and analyzed 500 news influencers, which it defined as individuals who regularly post about current events and have over 100,000 followers on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X or YouTube.

“News influencers have emerged as one of the key alternatives to traditional outlets as a news and information source for a lot of people, especially younger folks,” said the study’s co-author Galen Stocking, a senior computational social scientist at Pew Research Center, in a news release. “And these influencers have really reached new levels of attention and prominence this year amid the presidential election.”

The rise of social media influencers, and in particular news-focused creators, has been slowly embraced by politicians in recent years. Almost a decade ago, then-President Barack Obama surprised some by granting interviews to major YouTube creators.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/news-influencers-social-media-pew-report-rcna179786

Link to Pew REPORT - America’s News Influencers

12 replies

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1 in 5 U.S. adults get their news from social media influencers, according to Pew report (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Nov 18 OP

Influencer is about the most disgusting term imaginable (Other than Trump's first and secong) NoRethugFriends Nov 18 #1

"Influencer" is fine for non-political things. in politics, the appropriate term is "propagandist". unblock Nov 18 #2

I don't see why you would exclude politics. Martin68 Nov 18 #5

Because there's a more specific term. unblock Nov 18 #7

OK, I understand your opinion. the fact that there is a more specific term available does not invalidate the use to a Martin68 Nov 19 #12

Disagree. I hate therm and the practioners, political or otherwise. NoRethugFriends Nov 18 #8

Not saying I approve, just saying I'm fine with the word. unblock Nov 18 #9

I understand. The concept of leading sheep on social platforms disgusts me. NoRethugFriends Nov 18 #10

Interesting stats truddy777 Nov 18 #3

I suspect the number is much higher than 1 in 5. Is there agreement on the definition of "social media influencer?" Martin68 Nov 18 #4

They maybe be SM influencers, but not much with the younger generation if at all. PortTack Nov 18 #6

100,000,000 young Americans are on Twitter womanofthehills Nov 18 #11

NoRethugFriends

(3,071 posts)

1. Influencer is about the most disgusting term imaginable (Other than Trump's first and secong)

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Mon Nov 18, 2024, 01:46 PM

Nov 18

They can all go stand near windows in Moscow

unblock

(54,242 posts)

2. "Influencer" is fine for non-political things. in politics, the appropriate term is "propagandist".

Reply to NoRethugFriends (Reply #1)

Mon Nov 18, 2024, 01:48 PM

Nov 18

Martin68

(24,735 posts)

5. I don't see why you would exclude politics.

Reply to unblock (Reply #2)

Mon Nov 18, 2024, 02:18 PM

Nov 18

unblock

(54,242 posts)

7. Because there's a more specific term.

Reply to Martin68 (Reply #5)

Mon Nov 18, 2024, 02:48 PM

Nov 18

Martin68

(24,735 posts)

12. OK, I understand your opinion. the fact that there is a more specific term available does not invalidate the use to a

Reply to unblock (Reply #7)

Tue Nov 19, 2024, 10:39 AM

Nov 19

more general term. Yours is a semantic suggestion.

NoRethugFriends

(3,071 posts)

8. Disagree. I hate therm and the practioners, political or otherwise.

Reply to unblock (Reply #2)

Mon Nov 18, 2024, 04:08 PM

Nov 18

unblock

(54,242 posts)

9. Not saying I approve, just saying I'm fine with the word.

Reply to NoRethugFriends (Reply #8)

Mon Nov 18, 2024, 04:55 PM

Nov 18

NoRethugFriends

(3,071 posts)

10. I understand. The concept of leading sheep on social platforms disgusts me.

Reply to unblock (Reply #9)

Mon Nov 18, 2024, 05:24 PM

Nov 18

truddy777

(25 posts)

3. Interesting stats

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Mon Nov 18, 2024, 02:07 PM

Nov 18

It makes sense, especially for younger people, since they’re already spending so much time on platforms like TikTok or YouTube. I think it also shows how traditional news outlets might need to adapt to stay relevant.

Martin68

(24,735 posts)

4. I suspect the number is much higher than 1 in 5. Is there agreement on the definition of "social media influencer?"

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Mon Nov 18, 2024, 02:16 PM

Nov 18

I would suggest Trump, Musk, Tucker Carlson, and many other administration supporters are "social media influencers."

PortTack

(34,832 posts)

6. They maybe be SM influencers, but not much with the younger generation if at all.

Reply to Martin68 (Reply #4)

Mon Nov 18, 2024, 02:45 PM

Nov 18

womanofthehills

(9,336 posts)

11. 100,000,000 young Americans are on Twitter

Reply to PortTack (Reply #6)

Mon Nov 18, 2024, 06:56 PM

Nov 18

Mostly 18 to 45. That’s a lot and most spend 30 minutes a day on Twitter. This is the reason I think Dems should stay on Twitter - to influence the young.

Also, the Rogan - Trump 3 hr podcast got over 100 million views.

Many believe Kamala should have done the Rogan interview and been much more visible on social media.

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