Field Guide to Online Political Conversations: How to Spot a Bot

September 18, 2019

Field Guide to Online Political Conversations

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Field Guide to Online Political Conversations: How to Spot a Bot

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We examine the rising cyber threat to elections, and share how to watch for fake accounts that spread disinformation.

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We looked at where federal candidates were showing on social media, specifically exploring which candidates were present and active on the growing social media platform Bluesky, and whether use of X (formerly Twitter) had increased or decreased by candidates since the 2021 election.

Federal Election Report 5: Growing number of politicians on Bluesky, and fewer candidates on X

Searching for content about the Canadian election on YouTube, we discovered that Indian news media appeared at the top of search results - these videos were highly viewed and highly commented on.

Federal Election Report 4: Indian media prominent in Canadian election discussions on YouTube

Your vote matters, so how can you feel prepared to cast your ballot or talk to candidates?

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With misinformation and disinformation spreading fast on social media during elections, it’s easy to feel unsure about what’s real and what’s not.

Feeling overwhelmed by political noise online? You're not alone.

Navigating a federal election can feel overwhelming, especially with so much happening in politics. From analyzing party platforms and key issues to getting to know the candidates, there’s a lot to consider.

Our Guide to the 2025 Federal Election

Reddit is a key platform for linking to, sharing, and discussing Canadian news. But what kinds of new sources are shared and discussed?

Federal Election Report 3: What media sources are shaping Canadian Reddit?

When we vote in a federal election, we select from a list of candidates, in most cases with a political party beside each name. But how exactly do these names get there?

How do the candidates get on the ballot in the first place?

For this report, we analyzed 56,136 Reddit comments made on r/Canada between March 24, 2025 at 00:00 ET and March 27, 2025 at 23:59 ET, made on 278 different r/Canada submissions. This period encompasses the first four days of the 2025 federal election period.

Federal Election Report 2: Canada’s Biggest Subreddit Is Talking, And Eyes Are on the US

Federal Election Report 1: Power Users Dominate the Discussion on r/Canada

See a problem in Canada you want to fix? Can an e-petition help?

Research Director Beatrice Wayne shares solutions from SAMbot Alberta to combat online abuse, fake engagement, and inauthentic activity.

5 Key Ways to Make Online Platforms Safer During Elections

The Samara Centre for Democracy is frequently asked to provide commentary and analysis on a range of topics related to civic engagement and political participation. We regularly appear in print, broadcast and digital news networks across the country.

Samara Centre in the Media

SAMbot has received national media coverage and been presented at meetings across governmental, policy, technology, human rights and academic spaces.

SAMbot In The Media

Humans of the House dominates the podcast charts - this time on Goodpods.

Humans of the House ranked #2 in Goodpods Top 100 Canadian Politics Pods

The Pointer interviewed Research Director Beatrice Wayne on the importance of strengthening communication between candidates and voters.

Beatrice Wayne on Enhancing Candidate-Voter Communication in The Pointer

In today’s Globe and Mail, Research Director Beatrice Wayne and Senior Research Coordinator Alex MacIsaac share insight from our latest report: Astroturfing and Abuse: The 2023 SAMbot General Election Report.

Samara Centre’s Latest Findings Featured in the Globe and Mail

Campaign strategist and community organizer Dave Meslin’s six-part documentary series, Unrigged is now streaming on TVO and on YouTube.

TVO Documentary, Unrigged, Now Streaming

In the 2023 Alberta election, we observed a significant amount of what may be inauthentic or fake, artificially generated engagement on Twitter. This included a very small number of users producing a disproportionate amount of abuse and a high number of potential bot accounts.

Inauthentic Engagement in the Alberta Election Discourse

The Samara Centre for Democracy monitored activity on Twitter¹ during the 2023 Alberta election as part of our SAMbot project, a multi-year machine learning initiative that measures abusive content received by Canadian political candidates on social media.

Astroturfing and Abuse: The 2023 SAMbot Alberta General Election Report

Party leaders Rachel Notley and Danielle Smith’s Twitter accounts had the most engagement of all tracked accounts.

Abuse across partisan lines, LGBTQ+ issues, and first-time candidates

Full Program Now Available on YouTube

Watch In Defence of Democracy ‘24 with Connie Walker

Misinformation/Disinformation on Social Media: How Large a Threat to Democracy?

Massey College Panel Discusses the Impact of Social Media Misinformation on Democracy

Sabreena Delhon, CEO of the Samara Centre for Democracy, offers practical advice for Canadians looking to enhance their civic engagement.

CEO Sabreena Delhon Shares Civic Engagement Tips in University of Alberta’s New Trail Alumni Magazine

On Wednesday, January 8, The Samara Centre for Democracy along with the Government of Canada’s Open Government Team co-hosted a discussion about advancing open government in Canada.

Samara Centre Hosts Discussion on Advancing Open Government

A number of Canadian politicians have resigned from their posts, citing online abuse as a reason. But there is little data to quantify the amount and nature of that abuse.

Samara Centre’s SAMbot Research Featured in The Parliamentarian

The Samara Centre for Democracy's French-language podcast, Les Personnages de la Chambre, has been nominated for Best Podcast in the Consumer category at the 2024 Canadian Online Publishing Awards (COPA).

Les Personnages de la Chambre Nominated for Best Podcast (Consumer Category) by the Canadian Online Publishing Awards

On January 6, 2025, Governor General Mary Simon granted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s request to prorogue Parliament until March 24, 2025.

What does it mean for Justin Trudeau to “prorogue” Parliament?

In a period of democratic backsliding, the work of the Samara Centre for Democracy is more urgent and relevant than ever before.

2024 Highlights

In 2024, the Samara Centre team published timely analyses on technology's impact on democracy, political engagement, and civic participation in Canada, sharing insights across mainstream, policy, and peer-reviewed outlets.

2024 Publications

Humans of the House has received national media coverage and has been the #1 show in the Government category for several weeks on Apple Podcasts where it has also been featured as a New & Noteworthy Special Series.

Humans of the House in the Media

CEO Sabreena Delhon Featured in CPAC Documentary on Online Harms and Cyberbullying

Our CEO, Sabreena Delhon, received a King Charles III Coronation Medal, presented at a special ceremony hosted at the Samara Centre’s office on November 1st.

CEO Sabreena Delhon receives King Charles III Coronation Medal

On Wednesday, December 4th, more than 400 people attended The Walrus Talks at Home: Polarization.

CEO Sabreena Delhon Participates in Walrus Talks Panel on Polarization

Samara Centre for Democracy CEO, Sabreena Delhon and Connie Walker, this year’s In Defence of Democracy feature speaker appeared on CTV’s The Social on November 12th, 2024 to promote our annual event.

In Defence of Democracy Featured on CTV’s The Social

What is truly threatening Canada’s democracy is the dominant story that we are disengaged and disconnected.

Donate to the Samara Centre this Giving Tuesday

On October 10th, we hosted an intimate gathering to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Tragedy in the Commons, the bestselling book by Samara Centre co-founders Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan.

Celebrating a Milestone Moment for Tragedy in the Commons

To mark the 10th anniversary of Tragedy in the Commons our co-founders Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan reunited for a special bonus episode of Humans of the House hosted by Samara Centre CEO Sabreena Delhon.

Bonus Humans of the House Episode Featured in The Hill Times

On October 2nd, the Samara Centre hosted Democratic Innovation: What’s Needed, What’s Not Necessary, What’s Next featuring panelists Malorie Flon (Institute du Nouveau Monde), Bianca Wylie (Digital Public) and Sarah Yaffe (MASS LBP).

Montreal Event Explores How to Increase Public Participation in Politics

In this special bonus episode, we celebrate and reflect upon the tenth anniversary of the bestseller book, Tragedy in the Commons, written by Samara Centre for Democracy co-founders, Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan. Samara Centre CEO Sabreena Delhon hosts this conversation to ask, what has changed? What has stayed the same? Where are the fault lines in Canadian democracy?

Humans of the House BONUS Episode: The "Reluctant" Politician

Ten years ago, Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan published Tragedy in the Commons.

Founders of the Samara Centre Reflect on 10 Years of the Bestselling Tragedy in the Commons in New Podcast Episode

Sabreena Delhon and Andrea Mariko Grant delve into solutions to tackle the harmful working conditions that local politicians are facing in a new Municipal World Magazine article.

Municipal World article examines solutions to combat abusive working conditions for local politicians

We sat down with the Pulitzer and Peabody-award winning investigative journalist ahead of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

A Q&A with this year’s in Defence of Democracy Speaker: Connie Walker

CEO of the Samara Centre for Democracy Sabreena Delhon joined Ontario Today host Amanda Pfeffer on a September 17th call-in show where listeners shared how political polarization is taking a toll on their interpersonal relationships.

How are a handful of users on social media platforms fueling affective polarization?

Lawyers and paralegals in Ontario can now listen to Humans of the House in partial fulfillment of their continuing professional development requirement.

Humans of the House Accredited by the Law Societies of British Columbia and Ontario

Bestselling book endures with critical insights about how to build a more resilient Canadian democracy

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Tragedy in the Commons

Resources for Canadians considering elected office

Are you Candidate Curious?

Samara Centre for Democracy Advises on Safer Working Conditions for Elected Officials Before the Standing Committee on Procedures and House Affairs

Samara Centre for Democracy Advises on Safer Working Conditions for Elected Officials

Our CEO Sabreena Delhon was interviewed by The New York Times about foreign interference in Canadian nomination races.

CEO Sabreena Delhon in The New York Times

The Samara Centre for Democracy’s podcast Humans of the House is a national finalist in the best podcast category of the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) 2024 Awards.

Humans of the House Nominated for RTDNA Award

The Samara Centre for Democracy welcomes three new members to our Board of Directors: The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, OC, Professor Kathleen Mahoney, KC, Professor Debra Thompson

The Samara Centre for Democracy Welcomes Three New Board Members

Exploring engagement, toxicity, and civic conversations across online and offline spaces in the Toronto by-election.

Engagement and Abuse on Toronto's Digital Campaign Trail: The 2023 Toronto Mayoral By-election Report

Xiao Hua Gong spent a lot on advertising, and though those expenses didn’t translate into success at the polls, it showcased how big campaign budgets alone can reach into communities — sometimes in unexpected ways.

Buying Attention, On and Offline

Mayoral runner-up Ana Bailão proved that offline success didn’t necessarily require high online engagement.

Does Online Engagement Mean Higher Electoral Success?

Chloe Brown and Anthony Furey were among the most successful mayoral candidates, but as political outsiders, they faced barriers breaking into media opportunities.

Who Gets a Platform? Media Exposure and Online Engagement

The eventual mayor and a fringe candidate had similar engagement and levels of abuse — but very different experiences online.

Abuse and Online Engagement Unpacked

Les Personnages de la Chambre est, depuis plusieurs semaines, l’une des émissions les mieux placées dans la catégorie gouvernementale sur les balados d’Apple Podcasts (Canada).

Les Personnages de la Chambre dans les médias

Born in Happy Hill, Grenada, the Honourable Jean Augustine became the first Black Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons.

Featured Voices

The Samara Centre for Democracy and Media Girlfriends team were nominated in the Consumer category.

Humans of the House Podcast Wins Silver at the Canadian Online Publishing Awards

At the Samara Centre for Democracy our purpose is to make it easier for people to talk about and participate in politics. We want to move past simplistic commands like “you should run” or “you should vote” towards more nuanced and personal understandings about what it truly means to be civically engaged.

Samara Centre for Democracy 2023 Highlights

Nous connaissons les politiciens et politiciennes tels qu’ils se présentent à nous dans l’exercice de leurs fonctions. Mais ce n’est que lorsque leur mandat touche à sa fin qu’ils et elles peuvent réellement s’exprimer sur leur expérience. Animé par Chloë Hill, Les Personnages de la Chambre est un nouveau balado qui présente six anciens et anciennes député.e.s de la Chambre des communes du Canada qui décrivent, dans leur propre voix, la réalité de cette profession.

Les Personnages de la Chambre: Bande-annonce

Samara Centre’s Sabreena Delhon and Media Girlfriend's Hannah Sung on why a change in workplace culture on the hill could improve our democracy

Changing the workplace of Parliament Hill would change everything

The Samara Centre for Democracy welcomes two new members to our Board of Directors.

The Samara Centre for Democracy Welcomes Lisa LaFlamme and Jeilah Chan to Their Board of Directors

How are our policies around elections limiting voter engagement - and what do we need from policymakers in order to make things better?

Who Cares About Toronto’s By-Election?

SAMbot tracked toxic tweets in eight municipal elections across Canada by monitoring candidate and political party accounts.

Online Abuse in Local Elections: The SAMbot Municipal Report

SAMbot tracked online abuse during Charlottetown's municipal election. Read our report to learn more about our findings.

SAMbot Charlottetown Election

SAMbot tracked online abuse during Yellowknife's municipal election. Read our report to learn more about our findings.

SAMbot Yellowknife Election

SAMbot tracked online abuse during Winnipeg's municipal election. Read our report to learn more about our findings.

SAMbot Winnipeg Election

SAMbot tracked online abuse during Toronto's municipal election. Read our report to learn more about our findings.

SAMbot Toronto Election

SAMbot Brampton Election

SAMbot Ottawa Election

SAMbot Surrey Election

SAMbot Vancouver Election

Throughout the fall of 2022, the Samara Centre for Democracy deployed SAMbot in eight municipal elections across Canada to measure abusive content received by candidates and political parties on Twitter.

SAMbot Methodology: Municipal Elections

This panel discusses how digital technology is shaping public engagement, journalism and our democracy.

The Promise and Perils of Digital: A Panel Discussion

We’ve come to the final chapter of an MP’s civic journey. What is it like to leave office?

Humans of the House Episode 6: Was It Worth It?

What does it take for MPs to make a difference? We hear from former MPs about the changes they pushed for, and what it cost them.

Humans of the House Episode 5: I'm Going to Say the F Word

Humans of the House Episode 4: Unwritten Rules

What is Parliament Hill like as a workplace?

Humans of the House Episode 3: The Best/Worst Place I Ever Worked

So, you won an election and are officially a Member of Parliament. Now what?

Humans of the House Episode 2: Show Up and Glow Up

Would you ever run for political office? For many of us, “politician” is the last job title we’d ever consider.

Humans of the House Episode 1: You Wanna Run?

In Humans of the House, we are on a journey that explores the human side of politics. Prepare to be surprised, maybe even moved, by the real lives of Members of Parliament.

Humans of the House: Trailer

We explain how ending free Twitter API access is a huge blow to research efforts.

Bring back the Bots: How Twitter’s latest change threatens our democracy

A selection of highlights and publications from the Samara Centre in 2022.

A Look Back on 2022

Our Executive Director, Sabreena Delhon spoke on a panel discussion about race and policy-making in Canada.

Words Left Unsaid: Racial Inequality and Policy-Making in Canada

We provided the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC) recommendations for virtual hybrid House and committee proceedings.

Samara Centre for Democracy Advises on Hybrid Proceedings Before the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

SAMbot tracked toxic tweets in the 2022 Federal election by monitoring the Twitter accounts of incumbent candidates and party leaders.

SAMbot 2021 Federal Election Report

Pandemic school closures not only damages achievement and well-being for students; it also compromises civic learning and engagement.

New publication — Policy Options article examines how pandemic school closures have compromised the resilience of our democracy

SAMbot tracked toxic tweets in the 2022 Ontario election by monitoring the public Twitter accounts candidates and official parties.

SAMbot 2022 Ontario Election Report

Learn more about the state of youth civic learning and engagement in the context of the pandemic.

Learning Loss as Civic Loss: Addressing the Generational Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Youth Democratic Engagement

SAMbot Federal Election Day: September 20, 2021

SAMbot Federal Election: September 12-19, 2021

We share findings from the SAMbot project and discuss how online toxicity takes a toll on civic engagement.

New Publication — Policy Options article examines how online toxicity is hindering civic engagement

SAMbot Federal Election: September 5-12, 2021

SAMbot Federal Election: August 29-September 5, 2021

SAMbot Federal Election: August 22-29, 2021

SAMbot Federal Election: August 15–22, 2021

Democracy is needed, now more than ever.

Samara, Canada, and Democracy: A Consequential Moment

Introducing our new Executive Director for the Samara Centre for Democracy

Introducing Our Next Executive Director: Sabreena Delhon

We analyze survey data from municipal leaders across Canada to better understand how local politicians experience public life.

Locally Grown: A Survey of Municipal Politicians in Canada

How did Canadians’ attitudes toward their democracy change with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Temperature Check: Canadian Democratic Attitudes in a Pandemic

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