000			01668nas a2200217Ia 4500
008			250403c99999999xx |||||||||||| ||und||
022			_a0022-0515
100			_aAridor, Guy _9126385
245		4	_aThe Economics of Social Media
260			_bJournal of Economic Literature
260			_c2024
300			_a1422-1474
520			_aWe provide a guide to the burgeoning literature on the economics of social media. We first define social media platforms and highlight their unique features. We then synthesize the main lessons from the empirical economics literature and organize them around the three stages of the life cycle of content: (i) production, (ii) distribution, and (iii) consumption. Under production, we discuss how incentives affect content produced on and off social media and how harmful content is moderated. Under distribution, we discuss the social network structure, algorithms, and targeted advertisements. Under consumption, we discuss how social media affects individuals who consume its content and society at large, and explore consumer substitution patterns across platforms. Throughout the guide, we examine case studies on the deterrence of misinformation, segregation, political advertisements, and the effects of social media on political outcomes. We conclude with a brief discussion of the future of social media.
650			_a Media Advertising _9126386
650			_a Micro-Based Behavioral Economics
650			_aConsumer Economics _93301
700			_a Jimenez-Duran, Rafael _9126387
700			_a Levy, Ro'ee _9126388
700			_a Song, Lena _9126389
856			_uhttps://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jel.20241743
999			_c135227 _d135227