Astroturfing is often known as a deception practice orchestrated by one or multiple individuals disguising movements messages or posts to specific platforms. This is mainly done to boost a underlying message and make it seem more believable by faking or paying for additional support.
How it works
Company A sells batteries. Since they are new they wish to boost credibility for more sales. Multiple influencers are paid not to disclose the product they were sent to review along with offering additional perks monetary rewards to those who leave positive reviews on there seller web fronts even if the product does not perform well. they hold multiple AMA's on platforms like Reddit where multiple bot accounts ask softball questions or feedback that suits the selling points of the company. While legitimate criticism like safety concerns is often deleted shadow banned or ignored. they may also update there claims about the performance or longevity of the product without user notification.
Why it is a problem
Deceptive marketing
Since the action of the company is not actively disclosed many may end up believing illegitimate feedback planted by companies or individuals
Manipulation of user trust
Things like undisclosed paid reviews, positive platform feedback, and influencers pushing a product may convince many to buy the product not on the regard of merit but on the companies whim and possibly over exaggerated claims
Consumer censorship
If a bad product causes harm to a consumer or does not work as advertised; many may take to the sellers platform or social media to warn others of the poor experience. but this practice effectively hides them by deleting down voting or even filing legal litigation under frivolous charges to have the content removed.
Examples
Some examples of Astroturf include:
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