arXiv:2602.04546cs.SIcs.CL2026-02

区分阴谋论传播者与机器人,揭示其行为差异并提出识别方法。

Unmasking Superspreaders: Data-Driven Approaches for Identifying and Comparing Key Influencers of Conspiracy Theories on X.com

  • 通过分析七百万条推文,对比人类传播者与机器人的语言风格和传播策略。
  • 发现人类传播者用更复杂语言提升可信度,机器人则依赖标签和表情包扩大影响。
  • 提出27个新指标,其中改进的H指数可高效识别人类传播者,适合平台治理使用。

阴谋论会通过传播虚假信息、加剧社会分裂和削弱对民主机构的信任而威胁社会。社交媒体常成为阴谋论传播的温床,主要由两类关键角色推动:超级传播者(行为异常活跃的人类用户)和机器人(自动化账号,旨在战略性放大内容)。为遏制阴谋论扩散,必须识别这些角色并理解其行为模式。然而,系统性分析及实用识别方法仍不足。本研究基于新冠疫情期间超过七百万条推文,分析了人类超级传播者与机器人在语言复杂度、毒性程度和话题标签使用等方面的差异。结果显示:人类传播者倾向于使用更复杂的语言和实质性内容,较少依赖标签和表情符号,以增强权威性和可信度;而机器人则偏好简洁语言和策略性的话题标签交叉使用,以提升可及性、渗透热门讨论并扩大传播范围。为此,我们提出了27个用于量化阴谋论传播严重性的新指标,并验证了改进的H指数在计算上可行且能有效识别人类超级传播者。研究结果为平台监管政策、账户临时或永久封禁以及公众意识宣传提供了基础支持。

原文摘要 · Abstract (English)

Conspiracy theories can threaten society by spreading misinformation, deepening polarization, and eroding trust in democratic institutions. Social media often fuels the spread of conspiracies, primarily driven by two key actors: Superspreaders -- influential individuals disseminating conspiracy content at disproportionately high rates, and Bots -- automated accounts designed to amplify conspiracies strategically. To counter the spread of conspiracy theories, it is critical to both identify these actors and to better understand their behavior. However, a systematic analysis of these actors as well as real-world-applicable identification methods are still lacking. In this study, we leverage over seven million tweets from the COVID-19 pandemic to analyze key differences between Human Superspreaders and Bots across dimensions such as linguistic complexity, toxicity, and hashtag usage. Our analysis reveals distinct communication strategies: Superspreaders tend to use more complex language and substantive content while relying less on structural elements like hashtags and emojis, likely to enhance credibility and authority. By contrast, Bots favor simpler language and strategic cross-usage of hashtags, likely to increase accessibility, facilitate infiltration into trending discussions, and amplify reach. To counter both Human Superspreaders and Bots, we propose and evaluate 27 novel metrics for quantifying the severity of conspiracy theory spread. Our findings highlight the effectiveness of an adapted H-Index for computationally feasible identification of Human Superspreaders. By identifying behavioral patterns unique to Human Superspreaders and Bots as well as providing suitable identification methods, this study provides a foundation for mitigation strategies, including platform moderation policies, temporary and permanent account suspensions, and public awareness campaigns.

阴谋论传播者识别社交网络文本分析

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