“Influence-for-hire” refers to a growing online phenomenon where discussions, opinions, and information are manipulated for a fee, often as part of a larger political or strategic agenda. This practice is increasingly used by individuals, organizations, and even governments to steer public opinion and control narrative in their favor. Networks engaged in influence-for-hire services have been linked to various international incidents, including misinformation campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic and manipulative activities involving countries like Ukraine, China, Australia, and Taiwan. Facebook[2]’s takedown of a Ukrainian influence-for-hire network in May 2021 highlights the platform’s active role in combatting such activities. However, the growth of this online shadow economy raises significant concerns about foreign interference and the spread of disinformation[1]. Consequently, it’s recommended that governments and platforms collaborate to counter these activities.
Influence-for-hire or collective influence, refers to the economy that has emerged around buying and selling influence on social media platforms.