Does Anonymity Increase the Chance to Get Feedback?

TL;DR

This study investigates how anonymity influences user participation and comment quality on YouTube, suggesting that anonymity may reduce overall activity and comment extremity.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence on the impact of anonymity policies on online community engagement and comment tone.

Findings

Less active environment with anonymity

Fewer polite and rude comments, more neutral comments

Small differences detected in comment behavior

Abstract

To generate a hypothesis about the effects of anonymity on user participation in online communities, comments on Youtube were analysed for effects of the change from allowing pseudonyms to Google+ with its real name policy. Small differences were detected, leading to the hypothesis that the option to remain anonymous leads to a less active environment for getting feedback, with less polite and less rude comments on the expense of neutral ones.