The German Far Right Online

The report analyzes the online behavior of the German far right, finding that while they utilize 'alt-tech' platforms to evade moderation, they remain heavily reliant on very large online platforms (VLOPs) for reach. It highlights the central role of conspiracy theories, the opportunistic use of crises like COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, and the increasing importance of audiovisual content.

• Conspiracy theories function as a primary heuristic for far-right online subcultures, framing their worldview as being besieged by "dark forces" and offering solutions of either individual preparation or collective revolution.
• Telegram serves a dual purpose for the German far right: it is used for internal ideological learning and networking among believers, and as a tool for external propaganda aimed at the wider public using a more moderate tone.
• Far-right actors opportunistically exploit current events and crises to spread ideology, specifically using the COVID-19 pandemic to align with the anti-lockdown movement and the Russian invasion of Ukraine to disseminate Russian state propaganda.
• Despite the use of alternative platforms, very large online platforms (VLOPs) remain critical for far-right audiences, with accounts on these platforms expanding their followership and engagement over the study period.
• The far-right online ecosystem is characterized by platform-specific silos, where a high volume of shared URLs link back to the same platform (Facebook, X/Twitter, or Telegram) rather than external domains.
• There is a significant trend toward audiovisual content, with video-sharing platforms making up the largest proportion of shared social media links; Odysee emerged as a primary alternative to YouTube.
• The takeover of X/Twitter by Elon Musk in late 2022 coincided with a steep increase in followers for far-right accounts, suggesting that relaxed moderation policies made the platform more attractive again.
• Anti-feminist narratives, including transphobia and opposition to abortion rights, have increased, often mirroring US far-right discourse and spiking after the US Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson ruling.
• Racist and xenophobic discourse remains structural, with a focus on anti-migration sentiment and the 'Great Replacement' conspiracy, often framing migrants as a threat to German resources or security.
• The far right utilizes 'lifestyle' topics—such as nutrition, survivalism, and holistic health—as a 'coded' strategy to appeal to broader audiences and build community while avoiding overt ideological markers.

APA

Matlach, P., & Hammer, D. (2024). The German Far Right Online. Institute for Strategic Dialogue. https://www.isdglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Longitudinal_Study_Matlach_Hammer.pdf

Chicago

Matlach, Paula, and Dominik Hammer. The German Far Right Online. Institute for Strategic Dialogue, 2024. https://www.isdglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Longitudinal_Study_Matlach_Hammer.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Matlach |first1=Paula |last2=Hammer |first2=Dominik |title=The German Far Right Online |publisher=Institute for Strategic Dialogue |date=2024 |url=https://www.isdglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Longitudinal_Study_Matlach_Hammer.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{matlach2024german, author = {Matlach, Paula and Hammer, Dominik}, title = {{The German Far Right Online}}, institution = {Institute for Strategic Dialogue}, year = {2024}, url = {https://www.isdglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Longitudinal_Study_Matlach_Hammer.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }