Thread by @bellingcat

Threatened by deplatforming, Britain's far-right influencers are increasingly "funneling" their followers to lesser-known and lower moderation social media networks, where they can more easily turn clicks into cash.

bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-eu…

So suggests a database compiled by Bellingcat over three months, which examined 29 far-right figures from the UK across 19 platforms.

As one researcher told us, patchy online moderation sustains an "economy of hate" — allowing far-right views to survive and to thrive.

We found posts promoting racist conspiracy theories. Some were on smaller platforms with known far-right leanings; others were on mainstream platforms which many of us use every day.

And that's the idea. The latter bring new followers, who are then funnelled to the former.

For example, we found one influencer with more than 100,000 followers who promotes white nationalism on several platforms. They earn $1,582 (£1,121) monthly on subscription platforms, on top of other funding streams.

Deplatforming causes concern among far-right figures, who seek alternative spaces. Or as one calls them, "cosy new homes".

Some want to sidestep Big Tech and create new infrastructure, such as decentralised blockchain video hosters which are less susceptible to public pressure.

We told 19 websites mentioned in this piece about the content published, promoted, or fundraised for on their services.

Fourteen have not replied to our requests for comment.

Only four took some kind of action.