What Makes A Video Radicalizing? Identifying Sources of Influence in QAnon Videos

TL;DR

This paper investigates how viewer traits influence perceptions of QAnon videos, identifying key factors that contribute to their radicalizing potential on video-sharing platforms.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive questionnaire to analyze viewer perceptions and traits, providing new insights into the influence mechanisms of radicalizing videos.

Findings

Certain viewer traits correlate strongly with perceived radicalization

Influential factors include trust in content and prior beliefs

QAnon videos appeal to specific psychological profiles

Abstract

In recent years, radicalization is being increasingly attempted on video-sharing platforms. Previous studies have been proposed to identify online radicalization using generic social context analysis, without taking into account comprehensive viewer traits and how those can affect viewers' perception of radicalizing content. To address the challenge, we examine QAnon, a conspiracy-based radicalizing group, and have designed a comprehensive questionnaire aiming to understand viewers' perceptions of QAnon videos. We outline the traits of viewers that QAnon videos are the most appealing to, and identify influential factors that impact viewers' perception of the videos.