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January 19, 2022

Conspiracy Clickbait: The Art of the (Affiliate Marketing) Deal

ISD UK

Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

This case study is one of three in the Conspiracy Clickbait series. It analyzes a commercial operation linked to individuals in Vietnam which uses QAnon and divisive US political content to generate revenue via digital advertising, affiliate product sales and soliciting donations. This case study helps to demonstrate the flexibility and opportunism of commercially motivated actors in trialing multiple means of monetizing conspiracy theories and disinformation.

 

See also

Conspiracy Clickbait: This One Weird Trick Will Undermine Democracy

Conspiracy Clickbait: Raking in the Views

Conspiracy Clickbait: Farming Facebook

ISD Contributors

Elise Thomas
Senior Analyst, OSINT