AfD Dominates TikTok Visibility Ahead of State Elections

• The AfD is experiencing significant digital visibility ahead of the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, led by top candidate Ulrich Siegmund.
• Research from the University of Potsdam reveals that Siegmund’s TikTok account garnered 28 million views between June 1 and August 30, outperforming all other political accounts, including major national parliamentary factions.
• Social media metrics measure visibility rather than approval or voter intent; high view counts do not necessarily translate into political support.

Concentration and Digital Strategy

• In Saxony-Anhalt, Siegmund’s account alone accounts for 64.5 percent of all political content views, a level of concentration not mirrored in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern or Berlin.
• Posting frequency does not guarantee reach: CDU candidate Sven Schulze has the highest number of posts but receives significantly fewer views per contribution compared to Siegmund.
• Analysts attribute the AfD's success to a decade of consistent digital campaigning, contrasting it with other parties that have only recently prioritized professional social media strategies.

Algorithmic Dynamics

• Research suggests that social media algorithms may prioritize provocative content due to its high engagement rates, which help platforms increase user retention.
• The shift toward short-form video in political campaigns has led to the simplification and polarization of political discourse, as parties increasingly mimic viral trends to capture the attention of younger voters.