The activity of Spanish political parties on Facebook 2014-2018: the tyranny of the algorithm
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Abstract
The world's leading social network, Facebook, is also the scene of the digital political debate. Despite not having the strength of Twitter, its massive implementation makes this platform an ideal channel to reach a mass audience in practically all over the world, in a context of cyber-politics entrenched in Western societies. The research carried out analyses the typology of the publications and interactions received on the Facebook pages of the five main Spanish political parties (Partido Popular, Partido Socialista Obrero Español, Ciudadanos, Podemos and Izquierda Unida) over the years 2014-2018. A descriptive and longitudinal analysis that explores the appropriation of the platform by the different political actors along 12,468 publications, their relationship with the audience and the algorithm that controls the social network.
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