Under the Radar: Exploring the Salafi-Jihadi Terrorist Information Ecosystem on TikTok

This paper explores the Salafi-jihadi terrorist information ecosystem on TikTok. It provides a first detailed map of this network, composed of 65,546 profiles engaged in distributing or consuming Salafi-jihadi violent extremist propaganda at the turn of 2024/2025. It identifies key superspreaders of violent extremist content and discusses their modus operandi in this regard. Moreover, this paper explores the nature of 20 evasive techniques used by members of this community to avoid content moderation on the platform, including the use of artificial intelligence and “emoji coding.” Effectively, this study shows that TikTok seems to fulfill two primary functions from the viewpoint of media jihad: a gateway deeper into the propaganda distribution network of the Salafi-jihadi terrorist organizations, and a convenient environment for increasing the resonance of their propaganda.