Signposts

The document outlines the evolution of right-wing extremist online activity in Germany, from early forums and websites to modern 'alt-tech' platforms and encrypted messengers. It establishes a working definition of right-wing extremism as 'a form of nationalism characterised by its reference to racial, ethnic or cultural supremacy' and details the role of deplatforming in driving users toward unregulated spaces. Expert interviews highlight the growing importance of audiovisual platforms like TikTok and Telegram, as well as the intermingling of right-wing extremism with conspiracy theories and misogynistic 'manosphere' content.

• Right-wing extremists in Germany have historically adapted to technological advances, moving from early 1990s message boards and the Thule network to international forums like Stormfront, and eventually to 'alt-tech' infrastructure.
• The use of irony and 'humorous' language on imageboards like 4chan serves as a strategic tool to recruit supporters, shift discourse, and evade legal prosecution or algorithmic detection.
• Mainstream social media platforms are primarily used as 'entry platforms' to reach a broad audience, while niche or alternative platforms are used to distribute more radical content and coordinate privately.
• Deplatforming on mainstream sites leads to a loss of audience reach and revenue, but also drives users toward alternative platforms and is used rhetorically by extremists to frame themselves as victims of censorship.
• Telegram is identified as a critical alternative platform in Germany due to its high reach, low regulation, and perceived privacy, serving as a communication hub to link to other platforms.
• There is a significant research gap regarding audiovisual platforms (such as TikTok, Instagram, BitChute, and Odysee) and the role of micro-influencers, which are increasingly important for reaching younger audiences.
• Current trends show an 'Americanisation' of far-right discourse in Germany, including the import of debates on 'Cancel Culture' and 'Critical Race Theory', and an increasing overlap between right-wing extremists, conspiracy theorists, and the misogynistic 'manosphere'.
• The project defines right-wing extremism specifically as 'a form of nationalism characterised by its reference to racial, ethnic or cultural supremacy'.

APA

Hammer, D., Matlach, P., & Baaken, T. (2022). Signposts. Institute for Strategic Dialogue. https://www.isdglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/signposts-a-background-report-on-right-wing-extremist-online-subcultures.pdf

Chicago

Hammer, Dominik, Paula Matlach, and Till Baaken. Signposts. Institute for Strategic Dialogue, 2022. https://www.isdglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/signposts-a-background-report-on-right-wing-extremist-online-subcultures.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Hammer |first1=Dominik |last2=Matlach |first2=Paula |last3=Baaken |first3=Till |title=Signposts |publisher=Institute for Strategic Dialogue |date=2022 |url=https://www.isdglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/signposts-a-background-report-on-right-wing-extremist-online-subcultures.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{hammer2022signposts, author = {Hammer, Dominik and Matlach, Paula and Baaken, Till}, title = {{Signposts}}, institution = {Institute for Strategic Dialogue}, year = {2022}, url = {https://www.isdglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/signposts-a-background-report-on-right-wing-extremist-online-subcultures.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }