The Power of Online Farming



In recent times, the spread of sensational military claims on social media has become a strategic tool in international conflicts. For instance, a claim recently circulated online that six Indian jets were shot down—a statement that remains unverified but has rapidly gained attention. This phenomenon is more than mere rumor—it often reflects a coordinated information operation, sometimes referred to as online farming.

Disclaimer: This blog analyzes publicly available information and media patterns. It does not confirm the validity of any specific military claims.


What Is Online Farming?

Online farming is the coordinated creation and amplification of content across digital platforms to influence public perception. Unlike organic viral trends, these campaigns are carefully designed to maximize visibility, affect sentiment, and shape narratives (Wardle & Derakhshan, 2017).

Common techniques include:

  • Using fake or automated accounts (bots) to post and share content.
  • Repetition of identical claims across multiple platforms.
  • Emotionally charged language to provoke reactions.
  • Encouraging coordinated likes, comments, and shares to increase visibility.


Why Such Claims Spread Quickly

  1. Timing: Claims often appear immediately after high-tension incidents, giving them a sense of urgency and credibility (Allcott & Gentzkow, 2017).
  2. Emotion: Nationalistic or dramatic claims increase engagement.
  3. Repetition: Multiple accounts posting the same content creates the illusion of verification.
  4. Lack of Evidence: Even without proof, emotionally appealing claims can go viral (Vosoughi et al., 2018).


Potential Risks of Orchestrated Claims

For the country behind the claim:

  • Credibility loss: Exaggerated or false claims can reduce domestic and international trust.
  • Escalation: Overstated claims can provoke adversaries.
  • Diplomatic consequences: Allies and mediators may view these actions as destabilizing.

For the public:

  • Misinformation: Individuals may form opinions based on unverified reports.
  • Polarization: Coordinated campaigns exploit emotions, potentially deepening divisions (Tucker et al., 2018).


How to Spot Online Farming

  1. Rapid spread from low-credibility sources.
  2. Repetition of identical phrasing.
  3. Lack of evidence from official or independent outlets.
  4. Accounts that are newly created or mostly repost content (Wardle & Derakhshan, 2017).


Conclusion

In today’s digital age, information can be as powerful as weapons. Orchestrated online campaigns, such as the viral claim about six Indian jets, highlight how social media can shape perceptions of conflicts. Understanding these campaigns is crucial for critical consumption of news.


Key takeaway: 

Not everything trending online is accurate, especially during conflicts. Always verify information through multiple credible sources before forming opinions or sharing content.


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