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Germany Today

German news in English

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

AfD's TikTok Triumph: A Digital Dominance

Published: 2024-09-21

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has emerged as a dominant force on TikTok, significantly outpacing other political parties in terms of reach and influence.

This dominance is particularly evident among younger voters, with over a third of under-30s in regions like Thuringia and Saxony supporting the AfD in recent elections.

The party's success on TikTok is attributed to its strategic use of the platform, leveraging engaging and provocative content that resonates with the algorithm's preferences.

Key figures like Erik Ahrens have played a crucial role in this strategy, helping AfD candidates' videos go viral by focusing on direct, emotional, and sometimes controversial messaging.

Despite facing challenges like shadowbanning, the AfD continues to find ways to maintain its visibility, often using guerrilla tactics on platforms like Telegram to circumvent restrictions.

This approach has led to a significant presence on TikTok, influencing the political landscape and potentially swaying young voters.