Antisemitism Surges on Social Media as Algorithms Amplify Hate Content

Antisemitism has been increasingly prevalent on social media platforms in recent years, with antisemitic messages, conspiracy theories, and Holocaust denial spreading rapidly to large audiences. A January 2026 European Union survey revealed that 61% of Europeans view antisemitism on the internet as a problem in their country, marking a 10 percentage point rise since 2018. Additionally, 47% believe antisemitism has grown in their country over the past five years.

Research by the Center for the Study of Antisemitism at the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) found in July that antisemitic content was nearly seven times more likely to appear among the most viewed videos on Instagram aggregator accounts compared to other content. Another CAM study from March indicated that Instagram's recommendation algorithms actively promote antisemitic content, exposing users to such material even without intentional searching.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) also warned this year about the rise of antisemitism and extremism on Instagram, attributing it to changes in Meta's content moderation policies that have made it easier for extremist groups to spread hate. Furthermore, UNESCO and the United Nations have highlighted the ongoing dissemination of false and distorted information about the Holocaust on social media, warning against the continued spread of Holocaust denial.

These findings suggest that antisemitism online is no longer confined to fringe groups but is increasingly amplified by platform algorithms that reward engaging content, allowing hateful messages to reach broader audiences. For average users, this means they may encounter antisemitic content without actively seeking it, as recommendation systems play a significant role in content exposure. While not every user will see such material, the data points to a significant shift in how hate speech spreads, becoming a more prominent part of online discourse.