CrowdTangle Monitoring App Faces Shutdown Despite Widespread Use
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, recently announced its decision to shut down CrowdTangle, a popular social media analytics tool that was acquired by Facebook in 2016. This decision has sparked concerns among academic researchers and journalists who heavily rely on CrowdTangle for valuable data insights. Despite the backlash, Meta has set a final date for the shutdown, leaving users with limited time to adapt to alternative solutions.
In an update on its website, CrowdTangle revealed that it has entered into a “maintenance mode,” preventing users from adding new members to their accounts. However, users will still have access to various features such as the User Interface, API, historical data, and the Chrome Extension until the platform officially closes on August 14th.
Replacing CrowdTangle is Meta Content Library, a new monitoring tool specifically designed for researchers affiliated with qualified nonprofit or academic institutions. According to CrowdTangle’s update, this transition is necessary to meet evolving technology and regulatory changes while ensuring privacy and security standards are upheld.
However, former co-founder and CEO of CrowdTangle, Brandon Silvermann, has criticized Meta for the timing of the shutdown, calling it “incredibly irresponsible.” Silvermann argues that shutting down CrowdTangle just 12 weeks before the U.S. presidential election limits access to crucial data for academics, fact-checkers, and the broader news industry. He also raises concerns about the functionality of Meta Content Library, stating that it falls short compared to CrowdTangle in terms of providing valuable insights and data capabilities.
Despite these criticisms, Silvermann remains optimistic about the legacy of CrowdTangle. He believes that its impact will inspire the creation of permanent regulations that make real-time access to public data a legal requirement. This would ensure responsible and collaborative management of the internet.
CrowdTangle has been a vital tool for newsrooms and researchers seeking to detect trending posts and disinformation on Facebook and Instagram. However, Meta had previously disbanded the CrowdTangle team and blocked new users from signing up, raising questions about the company’s commitment to transparency.
In response to a Twitter account created by New York Times journalist Kevin Roose, Meta defended its decision to disband CrowdTangle. Roose had shared a list of 10 trending Facebook posts, generated using CrowdTangle data, which predominantly consisted of far-right pages. Meta clarified that CrowdTangle was not designed to show what content is being seen the most, but rather to help users understand engagement metrics.
As the final date for the shutdown approaches, users of CrowdTangle are left with the challenge of finding alternative solutions. It remains to be seen whether Meta Content Library will effectively meet the needs of researchers and journalists, or if there will be a gap in valuable data insights moving forward. The impact of CrowdTangle’s shutdown will undoubtedly have ramifications throughout the academic and journalistic communities, highlighting the importance of accessible and reliable social media analytics tools in today’s digital landscape.
