Bots as an online communication tool in the political process on the example of the EDC-2023 in Russia

Abstract

The article presents a brief theoretical overview of the types of bots, the purposes of their use, identification methods, and also examines global political campaigns with the active use of automated systems. Using the example of the 2023 regional election campaign, an empirical study was conducted, the purpose of which is to identify the features of using bot systems in online communication of the authorities represented by candidates and society. The study was conducted on the basis of open data from the VKontakte social network - all publications were selected in which candidates for the election of heads of regions for the period from August 28 to September 10, 2023 were mentioned. A total of 21 regions and 116 candidates were analyzed. The largest number of bots is typical for Moscow, the Moscow Region, the Republic of Khakassia, and the Pskov region. The detection of bots was based on the method of static signs: the same / similar text of the post, the absence of user activity, the absence of real photos, the lack of a personal profile. The data obtained allowed us to formulate conclusions about the use of bots to create a positive and neutral agenda. At the same time, the publications created automatically had zero or low views, which indicates their invisibility to the final audience and inability to influence the formation of public opinion. However, data on the mention of candidates and the presence of their positive image in the social network can be used in the preparation of administrative or analytical reports.