New study finds conspiracy theory beliefs amplified by a small number of highly active accounts
February 23, 2026 - The Centre’s Media Ecosystem Observatory released a new national brief that finds limited belief in conspiracy theories, but outsized visibility driven by a small number of highly active online accounts.
Public critique of democratic institutions can be a sign of a healthy democracy. But when skepticism transforms into claims of covert elite coordination and harm, it can distort public debate and erode trust. Our newest brief, “Conspiratorial Claims and Institutional Distrust in Canada’s Online Ecosystem,” examines how anti-institutional conspiratorial claims circulate online and how widely they resonate with Canadians.
Highlights:
Awareness is widespread; belief remains limited. Between 29% and 63% of Canadians report hearing about the conspiracies studied, but only a minority endorse them. Support is highest for claims about gender indoctrination (21%) and media–elite collusion (16%).
A small number of accounts drive most visibility. The top 100 accounts are responsible for 68% of conspiratorial posts and capture nearly 90% of views.
Influencers drive production and amplification. Influencers generate the vast majority of conspiratorial posts and engagement.
Platform dynamics shape exposure. X accounts for most conspiratorial posts and 70% of total likes across platforms. Frequent X users are significantly more likely to report awareness of and belief in these claims than infrequent social media users.
Engagement spikes around major events. Conspiratorial narratives surge during elections, wildfire season, and other high-profile moments, often driven by a small number of viral posts.
The full brief is available here.
This brief is produced as part of an ongoing series by the MEO intended to benchmark the health of the Canadian information ecosystem, political discourse, and the attitudes and behaviours of Canadians.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Isabelle Corriveau
media@mediatechdemocracy.com