The influence of big tech on the 2024 US election

Big tech companies like Google, Facebook, and X are essential in our everyday lives. They affect how people communicate, shop, and find information. As the 2024 U.S. election approaches, big tech’s influence on politics has become more evident.

To help you make a smart choice when voting, this blog delves into how these companies shape campaign strategies, handle misinformation, and face pressure for more regulations. Keep reading to discover how big tech plays a role in politics.

Impact on campaign strategies

Many people are excited about the 2024 election. Candidates see digital platforms as crucial tools for reaching voters in the U.S. and connecting with people worldwide. Political ads are booming, and campaigns are spending lots of money to share their messages with the public. 

In 2023, President Biden and his allies spent over $45 million on ads. This shows the importance of online presence in today's elections. Also, candidates use technology to make ads that connect to different people who are most likely to support them. It makes their campaigns more effective and focused.

The role of social media

Facebook and X have a big impact on shaping public opinion. Candidates running for office find these platforms important, with 239 million social media users as of January 2024. Another emerging trend is the use of political betting website platforms. These let people place bets on political outcomes. It helps candidates learn how voters feel about their campaigns. 

Here’s how the U.S. presidential candidates use social media:

  • Kamala Harris: She’s using TikTok to connect with voters, especially younger ones. Her account gained five times more followers in just one week, gaining over 232 million views and 33 million likes on her posts. Her campaign strategy involves using pop culture and memes, encouraging fans to create posts featuring her. One of her most popular TikTok drives featured a catchy song by Charli XCX, which was a hit among young audiences​.

  • Donald Trump: He relies on his platform, ‘Truth Social’, along with X and Facebook. Trump uses these channels to connect, share important messages, and rally his followers around his policies. He often talks about issues that matter to his base, like immigration and the economy.

How advertising and targeting work

Companies gather a lot of data from people's online activities. They use this to create targeted ads like personal messages for specific groups. This helps them make their campaigns more effective, mainly when influencing voters' behaviour and choices in the US election 2024.

When you search for topics about climate change, you might see more ads about environmental issues. This helps candidates reach out to voters in a personal way. People who see ads that match their interests are more likely to support the prospect behind those messages.

The spread of misinformation

Fake news on the internet is a big problem during the 2024 U.S. election. It spreads quickly on social media and can confuse voters. That's why checking if the news is true before believing it is important. If you see something that's not true or people telling lies, tell someone so we can make the internet a better place. This helps everyone have a nicer time online. 

The rise of big techs in politics

Voters need to stay informed about how these companies affect the election process. Plus, it's crucial to assess the data you get and to stick only to official sources. Starting discussions on social media and joining betting sites US election can also help you become better informed.