Montalvo, J. (2023). How’s the #GabFam: A 2022 characterization of the alternative social media platform Gab. The Young Researcher, 7(1), 4-17. http://www.theyoungresearcher.com/papers/montalvo.pdf

Abstract
This study aimed to develop a characterization of the alternative social media platform Gab in 2022 based on the themes and narratives found in the top posts of that year. Using a qualitative content analysis, this study identified six key themes from the dataset: Suppression, Persecution/Oppression, Conspiracy, Societal Degradation, Establishment Complacency, and We’re the Saviors. Based on these themes, this study argues that Gab can be characterized as a platform centered around the idea that its users are under attack, implying that ideas about marginalization may be central to group identity within alternative online environments.

Keywords: Gab, alt-tech, social media, alt-right, alternative platform

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