Ben Smith @semaforben · 02 Sep 2026
I wrote about a guy running a network of secret "ghost creators," paying actors $26 per video to read AI-assisted "anti-Dem" videos on YouTube. In just a few months, the channels got 45 million views, more than media companies like WaPo, the New Yorker, and, sadly, Semafor. https://t.co/WhjOKhXNIP
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Is that a lot?
17.1×vs this author's median14 826 views is typical
83Percentile for this authorof 6 recent posts
11.6×vs 100K–1M median21 891 views is typical
79.72%Reachviews ÷ followers
1.19%Engagement rateof viewers reacted