Fake accounts drove the DeepSeek AI hype and distorted markets

Summary

From AI Darling to Disinformation Playbook: How Fake Accounts Managed a Market Frenzy and What DeepSeek’s Hype Teaches LeadersDeepSeek, a new Chinese AI model, stormed app charts and briefly sent shockwaves through global markets. However, our disinformation research team found that much of this excitement was artificial — driven by thousands of fake profiles working in tandem. Their behavior bore the hallmarks of state-linked bot networks, amplifying hype and distorting market perception. For tech leaders and investors, the warning is clear: without the ability to separate genuine adoption from manufactured buzz, decisions risk being guided by disinformation rather than reality.DeepSeek Disinformaton Campaign: Fake profiles used two main methods: amplifying each other to simulate popularity, and blending into authentic conversations to appear credible.What happened with the DeepSeek launch?TL;DR: DeepSeek’s record-breaking hype wasn’t organic — it was powered by thousands of coordinated fake accounts. #what-happenedOur disinformation research team analysed 41,864 profiles discussing DeepSeek.3,388 were fake accounts — about 15% of all engagement, double the usual baseline.These accounts generated 2,158 posts in a single day, reaching their peak activity.The orchestrated amplification made DeepSeek trend across platforms and influence market narratives.How did fake accounts manufacture excitement and drive disinformation around DeepSeek? TL;DR: They acted in sync, boosting each other and hijacking authentic conversations to create an illusion of momentum. #how-manufacturedFake profiles hijacked the DeepSeek hashtag to push scams and even promote competing AI platforms — exploiting hype for multiple agendas.Mutual amplification: Fake profiles commented and liked each other’s posts to simulate popularity.Piggybacking on trending posts: They flooded viral tweets (e.g., @FanTV_official, 480K+ views) with DeepSeek praise.Integration with real users: Bots joined genuine c...