Meta has officially shut down CrowdTangle, an analytics tool that has been invaluable to researchers, journalists, and civil society groups for understanding the spread of information on Facebook and Instagram. This move marks the end of an era for social media research, as CrowdTangle was one of the few windows into the inner workings of Meta’s platforms.
CrowdTangle was acquired by Meta in 2016 and quickly became a crucial resource for those studying public health, misinformation, elections, and media. It provided unparalleled insights into how information spread on social media, allowing journalists to track the origins of viral misinformation, hoaxes, and conspiracy theories. The tool’s data has been cited in thousands of journal articles and used by news outlets to monitor elections and changes in the publishing industry.
Initially, Meta encouraged the use of CrowdTangle, providing training to academics and newsrooms and highlighting research projects that relied on its data. However, the narrative began to shift in 2020 when a New York Times reporter created an automated Twitter bot called “Facebook Top Ten,” which used CrowdTangle data to share the top Facebook pages based on engagement. This bot often showed that right-wing figures and news outlets dominated the lists, sparking debates about Facebook’s role in political polarization.
In response to the controversy, Meta began publishing its own reports on the most “widely viewed” content on its platform, suggesting that spam was more prevalent than political content. Despite this, researchers questioned the methodology behind these reports. Meta has now introduced the Meta Content Library, a new tool intended to replace CrowdTangle. However, this tool is only available to academic and nonprofit researchers, excluding for-profit news organizations.
Criticism and Concerns
The decision to shut down CrowdTangle has been met with criticism. Brandon Silverman, CrowdTangle’s former co-founder and CEO, called the move “incredibly irresponsible,” especially with the US Presidential election approaching. He expressed hope that the legacy of CrowdTangle would inspire regulations ensuring real-time access to public data.
Meta’s decision to shut down CrowdTangle highlights the ongoing tension between the company’s desire for control and the public’s need for transparency. As researchers and journalists adapt to the new Meta Content Library, the impact of losing such a valuable tool remains to be seen.