Trust and Reliability of Information Sources on Facebook for Presidential Candidates: A Study of Voter Perceptions

This exploratory research, utilizing both open-ended and likert-type questions, identifies who voters trust on Facebook for information about Presidential candidates as well as the benefits of using Facebook for obtaining this information. In line with Social Identity Theory, results indicate that s...

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Main Authors: Kristina Harrison, Shawn Thelen, Boonghee Yoo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Georgia Southern University 2024-01-01
Series:Journal of Applied Marketing Theory
Subjects:
Online Access:https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/jamt/vol11/iss2/5/
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author Kristina Harrison
Shawn Thelen
Boonghee Yoo
author_facet Kristina Harrison
Shawn Thelen
Boonghee Yoo
author_sort Kristina Harrison
collection DOAJ
description This exploratory research, utilizing both open-ended and likert-type questions, identifies who voters trust on Facebook for information about Presidential candidates as well as the benefits of using Facebook for obtaining this information. In line with Social Identity Theory, results indicate that some sources, especially those that are respected/intimate are far more trusted than others, e.g., local media, national media, and celebrities. Findings indicate that voters, drawn from a national online sample, enjoy the social aspects of connecting with like-minded individuals, use it to source information about candidates, find the platform convenient, but express some concerns over the reliability of information available. Results of this research are used to recommend strategies for candidates, campaign managers, political social media managers, and political consultants to employ on social media for reaching and positively influencing voters/users.
format Article
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series Journal of Applied Marketing Theory
spelling doaj-art-eba3fafdda4c4863bba295f7168e86912025-08-20T02:44:19ZengGeorgia Southern UniversityJournal of Applied Marketing Theory2151-32362024-01-01112658410.20429/jamt.2024.110205Trust and Reliability of Information Sources on Facebook for Presidential Candidates: A Study of Voter PerceptionsKristina HarrisonShawn ThelenBoonghee YooThis exploratory research, utilizing both open-ended and likert-type questions, identifies who voters trust on Facebook for information about Presidential candidates as well as the benefits of using Facebook for obtaining this information. In line with Social Identity Theory, results indicate that some sources, especially those that are respected/intimate are far more trusted than others, e.g., local media, national media, and celebrities. Findings indicate that voters, drawn from a national online sample, enjoy the social aspects of connecting with like-minded individuals, use it to source information about candidates, find the platform convenient, but express some concerns over the reliability of information available. Results of this research are used to recommend strategies for candidates, campaign managers, political social media managers, and political consultants to employ on social media for reaching and positively influencing voters/users.https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/jamt/vol11/iss2/5/political marketingfacebooksocial media marketingtrust
spellingShingle Kristina Harrison
Shawn Thelen
Boonghee Yoo
Trust and Reliability of Information Sources on Facebook for Presidential Candidates: A Study of Voter Perceptions
Journal of Applied Marketing Theory
political marketing
facebook
social media marketing
trust
title Trust and Reliability of Information Sources on Facebook for Presidential Candidates: A Study of Voter Perceptions
title_full Trust and Reliability of Information Sources on Facebook for Presidential Candidates: A Study of Voter Perceptions
title_fullStr Trust and Reliability of Information Sources on Facebook for Presidential Candidates: A Study of Voter Perceptions
title_full_unstemmed Trust and Reliability of Information Sources on Facebook for Presidential Candidates: A Study of Voter Perceptions
title_short Trust and Reliability of Information Sources on Facebook for Presidential Candidates: A Study of Voter Perceptions
title_sort trust and reliability of information sources on facebook for presidential candidates a study of voter perceptions
topic political marketing
facebook
social media marketing
trust
url https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/jamt/vol11/iss2/5/
work_keys_str_mv AT kristinaharrison trustandreliabilityofinformationsourcesonfacebookforpresidentialcandidatesastudyofvoterperceptions
AT shawnthelen trustandreliabilityofinformationsourcesonfacebookforpresidentialcandidatesastudyofvoterperceptions
AT boongheeyoo trustandreliabilityofinformationsourcesonfacebookforpresidentialcandidatesastudyofvoterperceptions