Why You’re Getting So Many Text Messages Right Now

From Jennifer Stromer-Galley, Professor of Information Studies, Syracuse University, writing in The Conversation:

Text messages and emails from political campaigns are pouring into Americans’ phones and inboxes right now. It’s happening to political junkies, to people who gave their phone numbers to campaigns, and even to people who try to keep their contact information off mass mailing lists.

I study political campaigns, including how they use social media and mobile phones to build support. In my book “Presidential Campaigning in the Internet Age,” I document the history of how campaigns have used the web, social media and phones in efforts to attract independents and urge supporters to take action.

As part of my research for the 2020 election, I subscribed to get text messages from Democratic nominee Joe Biden and Republican nominee Donald Trump. I also used my personal email account – the same one I’ve been using since 1995 – to receive email updates and alerts from both campaigns. I try to look like a supporter. I engage with the emails or text messages periodically, by clicking the links, and I even contribute a tiny amount of my own money to both campaigns so that I really look like a supporter.

Compared to prior election campaigns, as I document in my book, this election is not any more or less active on email. It is not unusual for campaigns to send up to a dozen emails a day from different people on the campaign and the party. What is unusual is the volume of text messages. While both Republican and Democratic campaigns sent texts in 2016, the volume of Trump’s texting this election cycle is unprecedented.

I’ve been inundated, particularly with requests to donate money.

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