It seems like the massification of companies slowly caching up that a good chunk of people completely ignore any kind of traditional marketing (including webpage add) and are looking for organic-looking opinions on communities instead. Astroturfing is not new, but this looks like the corporatisation of it.
It seems the only way to have an open platform protected from manipulation for private interest is to keep it small enough that it’s not economically interesting.

One of the most effective ways of changing people’s opinions on topics is anecdotes.

Personal stories.

There is research on this showing just how effective.

https://www.npr.org/2025/05/07/nx-s1-5387701/a-controversial-experiment-on-reddit-reveals-the-persuasive-powers-of-ai

You may have noticed that in the last 2 years or so, many people posting positions that go against the norm do so by giving a personal story about why they are wrong.

This method is just so effective and it primarily targets people who are empathetic and open minded to other perspectives.

Which are two great traits to have. But they are being weaponized.

Here is what you do.

Question anecdotes. (Assume there is a moderate chance every anecdote story that pushes a narrative is an ai or sock puppet account)

Question why someone is responding with a personal story for their argument when more objective information is more valuable and appropriate.

Don’t loose your ability to be empathetic or open minded. But be aware it’s being used by bad people to mass manipulate.

https://www.science.org/content/article/unethical-ai-research-reddit-under-fire

This is also why companies invest so much into fake reviews of their products and paying regular people with subscribers on social media to advertise their products. They know personal recommendations hold a lot of power to influence.