Articles By
Kathleen M. Carley
![](https://misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/seek-gd08a433c0_1920-736x570.jpg)
Search engine manipulation to spread pro-Kremlin propaganda
Evan M. Williams and Kathleen M. Carley
The Kremlin’s use of bots and trolls to manipulate the recommendation algorithms of social media platforms is well-documented by many journalists and researchers. However pro-Kremlin manipulation of search engine algorithms has rarely been explored. We examine pro-Kremlin attempts to manipulate search engine results by comparing backlink and keyphrase networks of US, European, and Russian think tanks, as well as Kremlin-linked “pseudo” think tanks that target Western audiences.