{"id":689221,"date":"2026-10-14T11:50:21","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T15:50:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?p=689221"},"modified":"2026-10-16T12:10:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T16:10:45","slug":"online-communities-rarely-focus-on-politics-and-many-say-it-should-stay-that-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-communities-rarely-focus-on-politics-and-many-say-it-should-stay-that-way\/","title":{"rendered":"Online Communities Rarely Focus on Politics, and Many Say It Should Stay That Way"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<details data-wp-context=\"{&quot;closeWhenFocusLost&quot;:false,&quot;knightCollectionUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.pewresearch.org\\\/collections\\\/pew-knight-initiative\\\/&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/details\" class=\"wp-block-details is-style-pew-knight-co-branded has-border-color has-ui-gray-light-border-color has-ui-white-background-color has-background has-sans-serif-font-family is-layout-flow wp-container-core-details-is-layout-fe3d8243 wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-top-color:var(--wp--preset--color--ui-gray-light);border-top-width:1px;border-right-style:none;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-color:var(--wp--preset--color--ui-gray-light);border-bottom-width:1px;border-left-style:none;border-left-width:0px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0;font-size:clamp(0.875em, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2em) * 0.009), 0.88em);\"><summary data-wp-on--click=\"actions.handleSummaryClick\">Pew Knight Initiative<\/summary>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-24afb64e wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-ui-gray-very-dark-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.114), 15px);\">The Pew-Knight Initiative supports new research on how Americans absorb civic information, form beliefs and identities, and engage in their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ui-gray-very-dark-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.114), 15px);\">Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan, nonadvocacy fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. Knight Foundation is a social investor committed to supporting informed and engaged communities. <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/pew-knight\/\"><strong>Learn more &gt;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-style-plus-icon has-border-color has-ui-gray-light-border-color has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-background has-sans-serif-font-family is-layout-flow wp-container-core-details-is-layout-4031d49d wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:1px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);font-size:clamp(0.875em, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2em) * 0.009), 0.88em);\"><summary>About this research<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This&nbsp;report&nbsp;from the\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/collections\/pew-knight-initiative\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pew-Knight Initiative<\/a> focuses on online community and connection today. It looks at who\u2019s part of online communities, where they form, what they\u2019re built around, why people go to them \u2013 and why some people leave. It also examines what people think the internet is doing to connection overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"why-we-did-this\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why we did this<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Center conducts research to inform the public, journalists and decision-makers.&nbsp;We\u2019ve long studied <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2001\/10\/31\/online-communities\/\">what online connection looks like for Americans<\/a>. At a time when fewer than half of Americans are highly satisfied with their social life \u2013 or with the quality of life in their local community \u2013 it\u2019s important to understand the role online communities play, good and bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/about\/\">Learn more about Pew Research Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"how-we-did-this\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How we did this<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We surveyed 9,750 U.S. adults from May 26 to June 1, 2026. Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Center\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/the-american-trends-panel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">American Trends Panel<\/a>. The survey represents the views of the full U.S. adult population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_Online-Communities_Questionnaire.pdf\">survey questions<\/a> used for this report, the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_Online-Communities_TOPLINE.pdf\">detailed responses<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-communities-methodology\/\">methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a Pew Research Center report from the Pew-Knight Initiative, a research program funded jointly by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Find related reports online at\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/pew-knight\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/pew-knight\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Politics can find a way into online communities, whether they are focused on politics or built around other topics from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/style\/power\/2026\/02\/18\/parenting-group-chat-politics-dc-petworth\/\">neighborhoods to parenting<\/a>. But a new Pew Research Center survey from the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/collections\/pew-knight-initiative\/\">Pew-Knight Initiative<\/a> finds that politics is not a big driver of conversation in the online communities people visit most. And a majority don\u2019t think politics should be there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-310-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692012\"><img data-dominant-color=\"dce3e7\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #dce3e7;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-01.png?resize=480,875 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-01.png?resize=620,1130 620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"565\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-01.png?w=310\" alt=\"A pie chart showing Relatively few say politics is a big part of the online community they go to most \" class=\"wp-image-692012 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, party and ideology can play a role. Liberal Democrats tend to differ from other groups in how they feel about politics in these spaces, and what kinds of communities they\u2019re part of broadly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among people who are part of one, <strong>about three-in-ten say there\u2019s at least some political discussion in the online community they visit most often.<\/strong> This includes 7% who say it makes up all or most of the discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But most \u2013 71% \u2013 say they see little to no political content in their go-to community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is part of <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-community-and-connection-in-america\/\">a broader survey of U.S. adults<\/a>, conducted May 26-June 1, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-callout has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2130f694 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 id=\"how-did-we-study-online-communities\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How did we study online communities? <\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Our questions asked about <strong>feeling part of a community online. <\/strong>We wanted to capture a wide range of spaces and experiences that someone might consider as online community. Here\u2019s how we explained the topic further:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>By this, we mean people connecting with others online, such as by joining or feeling part of a group or doing things together. This could happen in places like social media, online discussion forums, by emailing or messaging with a group, or in video games online.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Follow-up questions focused on the community people spend the most time in \u2013 we call this their <strong>most-visited online community.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"many-say-politics-does-not-belong-in-these-spaces\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Many say politics does not belong in these spaces<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692013\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e6e8e4\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e6e8e4;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-02.png?resize=480,323 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-02.png?resize=782,527 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-02.png?resize=840,566 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"283\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-02.png?w=420\" alt=\"A bar chart showing A majority say politics doesn\u2019t belong in the online community they go to most\" class=\"wp-image-692013 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People commonly say they don\u2019t want to see politics in their go-to communities. In fact, a majority (54%) of those in an online community say political discussion does not belong in the one they visit most often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A much smaller share \u2013 a quarter \u2013 says politics <em>does<\/em> belong there, and 21% aren\u2019t sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019ve seen similar themes in our work on social media. For example, on two of the four platforms we studied in a 2024 survey, majorities of users who keep politics out of their posts said it\u2019s because <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2024\/06\/12\/how-americans-navigate-politics-on-tiktok-x-facebook-and-instagram\/pi_2024-06-12_politics-across-platforms_0-08\/\">politics doesn\u2019t belong there<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some Americans who\u2019ve <em>left<\/em> an online community say it was due to too much politics (44% of those who\u2019ve left one). <em>Go to \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/about-a-third-of-americans-have-left-an-online-community\/\">About a Third of Americans Have Left an Online Community<\/a>\u201d to read more.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"is-the-political-content-people-see-new-or-more-of-the-same\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is the political content people see new or more of the same?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People commonly say the online community they visit most has unique value \u2013 it\u2019s something they <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-community-and-connection-in-america\/#only-find-online\">can\u2019t find elsewhere<\/a>. But <em>political<\/em> discussion in these communities isn\u2019t always unique to the space it\u2019s in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More often than not, political content reflects what people are already getting elsewhere. At the same time, it\u2019s most commonly a diversity of viewpoints, rather than just what people agree with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The political information people see in these spaces is more often familiar than not.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692014\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e7e8e4\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e7e8e4;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-03.png?resize=480,343 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-03.png?resize=782,559 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-03.png?resize=840,600 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"300\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-03.png?w=420\" alt=\"A bar chart showing Few people say the political content they see in their online communities is mostly new to them\" class=\"wp-image-692014 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">About a quarter of those in online communities say the political information they see in their most-visited community is mostly what they\u2019ve seen elsewhere. Just 5% say it\u2019s mostly new to them. And about a quarter say it\u2019s about equally new and familiar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692015\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e9e9e6\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e9e9e6;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-04.png?resize=480,377 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-04.png?resize=782,614 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-04.png?resize=840,660 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"330\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-04.png?w=420\" alt=\"A bar chart showing About 3 in 10 say political discussions in their online community have an even mix of views they agree and disagree with\" class=\"wp-image-692015 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People there are also more likely to say they see things they mostly agree with than disagree (19% vs. 6%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, it\u2019s more common to <strong>see a roughly equal mix of political content you agree and disagree with.<\/strong> About three-in-ten in online communities say this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;liberal-democrats-stand-out-for-how-they-experience-politics-in-online-communities&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" id=\"liberal-democrats-stand-out-for-how-they-experience-politics-in-online-communities\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Liberal Democrats stand out for how they experience politics in online communities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692016\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f1f1f1\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f1f1f1;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-05.png?resize=480,494 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-05.png?resize=782,804 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-05.png?resize=840,864 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"432\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-05.png?w=420\" alt=\"A dot plot showing Liberal Democrats are most likely to view politics as belonging in the online communities they visit most\" class=\"wp-image-692016 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the focus turns to politics in these spaces, liberal Democrats differ from other groups in several ways. (Republicans and Democrats include independents who lean toward each party.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among those in online communities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Liberal Democrats are<\/strong> <strong>most likely to say politics belongs in the communities they visit most, at 37%<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A similar share (43%) says it <em>doesn\u2019t<\/em> \u2013 but that view is higher in other partisan and ideological groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Liberal Democrats are also more likely to say they see like-minded political posts and things that reflect what they get elsewhere.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For instance, about a third of liberal Democrats say they mostly agree with what they see, far higher than other groups. That said, roughly another quarter of liberal Democrats say they see a mix of political information that they agree and disagree with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"liberal-democrats-more-likely-to-be-part-of-political-online-communities\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Liberal Democrats more likely to be part of political online communities<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond the online communities Americans visit most often, we wanted to understand the broader landscape of what spaces people are part of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-310-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692017\"><img data-dominant-color=\"ecebeb\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #ecebeb;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-06.png?resize=480,599 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-06.png?resize=620,774 620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"387\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_1-06.png?w=310\" alt=\"A bar chart showing Liberal Democrats stand out for being in politically-focused online communities\" class=\"wp-image-692017 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">About one-in-ten Americans say they are a part of an online community specifically focused on politics or political issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Liberal Democrats are more likely than other ideological groups in either party to say this. But it\u2019s a fairly small share (14%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond politics, liberal Democrats are also more likely to be a part of an online community overall. For a breakdown, go to the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/appendix-who-is-part-of-an-online-community\/\">appendix<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Politics can find a way into online communities, whether they are focused on politics or built around other topics from neighborhoods to parenting. But a new Pew Research Center survey from the Pew-Knight Initiative finds that politics is not a big driver of conversation in the online communities people visit most. And a majority don\u2019t 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