Misinformation dissemination on social media: key research themes and evolutionary paths between 2013 and 2023

Guiqiong Xu, Meng Qian and Lei Meng ()
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Guiqiong Xu: School of Management, Shanghai University
Meng Qian: School of Management, Shanghai University
Lei Meng: School of Management, Shanghai University

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 2025, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract With the rapid development of information technology, the proliferation of misinformation has become a global security challenge. Examining the dissemination and governance of misinformation on social media is both challenging and significant. In this study, we review the research progress regarding the spread of misinformation on social media, analyzing a total of 3283 relevant articles indexed in the Web of Science from 2013 to 2023. First, we discuss the concept of misinformation and the data acquisition platforms used in misinformation research. Next, we propose a new research framework that integrates complex networks, community segmentation, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, revealing the thematic evolution of misinformation dissemination research over the past decade. Subsequently, we comprehensively discuss several research hotspots, including health misinformation, political misinformation, governance methods for misinformation, and future trends. The findings of this study may provide valuable insights for future research on misinformation and serve as references for the formulation of effective governance strategies.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-06067-1

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