Read on Twitter
For journalists and researchers trying to get the question of Parler and platform change, here are some ideas to work with. I wrote this back in July: https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/07/27/1005648/why-congress-should-look-at-twitter-and-facebook/
As well, @beccalew and Brian Friedberg and I wrote a piece about the migration of white supremacists to Gab and the development of alt-platforms after they were 'no platformed' in 2017: https://mediarep.org/bitstream/handle/doc/13283/Post_Digital_Cultures_49-65_Donovan_ea_Parallel_Ports_.pdf?sequence=3
We usually think about people moving from one platform to another because one provides cooler features, but it might just be as simple as stability.
Stability, where a technology reliably does what it says it does, is a key factor in user experience, but also in their return.
Stability, where a technology reliably does what it says it does, is a key factor in user experience, but also in their return.
When a platform does not behave in an infrastructurally stable way (and this can include uneven application of their content moderation policy), people do look for alternatives. Charismatic entrepreneurs will step up, like carnival barkers, making bold claims about their tech.
The main take away is that "the leadership of the platform company, alongside the profile of the user base and the content they circulate have a significant impact on how platforms are perceived by the public." Reputation of the platform emanates from social Interaction.
Right now, Parler might be experiencing a large flock of new users, but it's difficult to tell how many will stay. It's also hard to say how many are signing up simply to lurk or troll.
Parler is not in the same situation as Gab though. Parler's resources are much more vast both in terms of $ flow from sources that may not care about ROI, and networked users who are drawn in by celebrity politicians and media elites who are wildly popular on mainstream platforms
This situation will undoubtedly lead to Parler having a much better reputation among the broader potential user base than Gab ever did. However, the stability question is still really up in the air because Parler will have to come up with some kind of policy to handle trolls.
No platform can function completely free of moderation. So it's only a matter of time before someone of note gets removed from their services and it shatters the myth that it is a zome of unfettered free speech.
