Does Reddit have an astroturfing problem? What the data suggests

A Reddit analysis suggests the platform may have an astroturfing problem when it comes to buying recommendations. The study found that 11.3% of brand mentions in buying threads came from just 49 accounts, compared to an expected 7.9%. This discrepancy suggests these accounts may be part of a paid campaign. The 49 accounts include a few loud fan bases and a few targeted campaigns, indicating a concentrated effort. The brands affected include large and small ones, showing a potential for targeted marketing.