"The Strength of Weak Ties" Varies Across Viral Channels

TL;DR

This study compares how direct messaging and broadcasting channels differ in transmitting novel information in social networks, revealing that weak ties are more effective in broadcasting, while direct messaging involves stronger ties with less novel content.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence on how different viral channels influence the strength of weak ties in information dissemination, expanding weak tie theory in social networks.

Findings

Broadcasting transmits more novel information than direct messaging.

Weak ties are effective primarily in broadcasting channels.

Content selection based on tie strength influences information spread.

Abstract

The diffusion of novel information through social networks is essential for dismantling echo chambers and promoting innovation. Our study examines how two major types of viral channels, specifically Direct Messaging (DM) and Broadcasting (BC), impact the well-known "strength of weak ties" in disseminating novel information across social networks. We conducted a large-scale empirical analysis, examining the sharing behavior of 500,000 users over a two-month period on a major social media platform. Our results suggest a greater capacity for DM to transmit novel information compared to BC, although DM typically involves stronger ties. Furthermore, the "strength of weak ties" is only evident in BC, not in DM where weaker ties do not transmit significantly more novel information. Our mechanism analysis indicates that the content selection by both senders and recipients, contingent on tie strength, contributes to the observed differences between these two channels. These findings expand both our understanding of contemporary weak tie theory and our knowledge of how to disseminate novel information in social networks.