Meta Platforms‘ decision to shut down CrowdTangle, a popular social media analysis tool, has sparked concern among journalists, civic groups, and researchers who relied on the platform to monitor trending posts on Facebook and Instagram in real time. The timing of the tool’s closure, just months before a major US presidential election, has raised questions about the impact on tracking misinformation and viral content on social media.
CrowdTangle provided valuable insights for journalists and researchers, allowing them to analyze user engagement with content, identify groups that amplified the spread of posts, and track the dissemination of political and medical misinformation on Facebook and Instagram. Its discontinuation has left many in the industry scrambling to find alternative tools to fill the void left by CrowdTangle.
In response to a bipartisan group of lawmakers urging Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to delay the shutdown of CrowdTangle, Meta cited maintenance challenges and the tool’s inability to provide a comprehensive view of platform activity as reasons for its closure. The company has proposed replacing CrowdTangle with the Meta Content Library, a new tool that promises more extensive data analysis capabilities, including the ability to analyze comments.
However, concerns have been raised about the accessibility and functionality of the Meta Content Library. Non-profit researchers must apply through a third-party partner, the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, for access to the tool, while news publishers and commercial entities are excluded from using it. Critics argue that the Meta Content Library falls short in comparison to CrowdTangle, lacking key features such as historical social media metrics and dashboard sharing.
The decision to discontinue CrowdTangle has drawn criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Senator Chris Coons labeled Meta’s response as „disappointing,“ while Senator Bill Cassidy emphasized the need for increased oversight of Big Tech companies. The closure of CrowdTangle marks a significant shift in the landscape of social media analysis, with implications for media organizations, researchers, and policymakers.
CrowdTangle’s origins date back to 2011 when it was founded and quickly gained popularity among media clients for its ability to track trending posts on social media platforms. Meta’s acquisition of the tool in 2016 made it widely accessible to journalists and researchers, who used it to investigate a range of topics, from Russian influence operations to Covid-19 misinformation and the QAnon conspiracy movement.
The clash within Meta over data transparency and the fate of the CrowdTangle team in 2021 signaled a shift in the company’s approach to sharing information about popular content on its platform. The decision to disband the CrowdTangle team and revoke initiatives aimed at promoting data transparency has raised concerns about Meta’s commitment to accountability and openness in the digital age.
In conclusion, the shutdown of CrowdTangle has left a void in the social media analysis landscape, prompting calls for greater transparency and oversight of tech companies like Meta. The impact of losing a valuable tool for tracking misinformation and viral content on platforms like Facebook and Instagram underscores the importance of robust data analysis tools in today’s digital age. As journalists, researchers, and policymakers navigate the changing landscape of social media analysis, the need for accessible, reliable tools to monitor online trends and behaviors remains paramount.