The Truth About Online Petitions and Their Effectiveness
If you’ve ever come across a seemingly viral petition, you have notice that it was hosted on Change.org. But how effective is it? Can signing a petition on Change.org lead to meaningful change, or are there better ways to make your voice heard?
Let’s explore how Change.org works, its limitations, and why many are looking to more effective alternatives.
What Is Change.org?
Change.org is a platform that allows people to launch their own petitions or sign the petitions created by others. The petitions generally do get delivered to the government official or other target.
How Does Change.org Work?
The type of petition that Change.org makes available is called a 'symbolic' or 'fake' civic tactic because there is generally no way for them to have an impact -- unless the petition owner goes beyond what the platform supports.
There's a couple other factors to consider:
Limited action: Signing a petition often gives people a sense of accomplishment, but without follow-up actions, this can lead to “slacktivism,” where meaningful engagement stops at a click.
Competition for attention: With so many symbolic petitions online, it’s hard to stand out or gain enough momentum to make an impact. This is especially true with Change.org because many understand that they are symbolic and not likely have any impact.
Does Change.org Work?
The effectiveness of Change.org varies. A portion of the 1% of petitions that go viral can have led to significant changes, while others usually have little impact. The platform is best for raising awareness and showing public support, but it’s rarely enough to drive real-world change.
To make your campaign genuinely impactful, you need to go beyond symbolic signatures.
That why New/Mode offers civic tactics that are built to make real change. New/Mode supports impactful tactics by empowering campaign supporters to:
Send emails to or otherwise notify decision-makers.
Call representatives to express concerns.
Secure media coverage to amplify your cause.
Organize events like protests, marches, or rallies.
New/Mode: A More Effective Alternative to Change.org
If you’re looking for a platform that helps you turn online petitions into real-world action, New/Mode offers Smart Petitions that combat slacktivism and offer tools that go beyond gathering signatures, such as:
Targeted email campaigns: Supporters can send personalized messages directly to decision-makers.
Media outreach tools: Help supporters write and send letters to local newspapers to gain press coverage. You can learn more about our Letter to the Editor tool.
By integrating these features with your petition, you can transform passive supporters into active advocates, significantly increasing the chances of success for your campaign.
What Makes New/Mode Different from Change.org?
New/Mode stands out because it’s focused on driving real-world change. The platform only works with causes that promote positive, ethical values, including:
Unlike Change.org, New/Mode ensures your petition goes beyond gathering digital signatures, providing the tools needed to take real action. When you create a petition on New/Mode, your statements will be sent to a decision-maker by default. You can start a petition and email supporters in our free forever platform.
How to Make Your Petition More Effective
Here are tips to boost your petition’s success:
Share your petition widely: Use social media, email, and community networks to reach a larger audience.
Engage with your supporters: Reply to comments and questions to create a sense of community.
Gain media coverage: Reach out to local or national news outlets to amplify your message.
Take additional action: Use advocacy tools like emails, phone calls, and direct lobbying to pressure decision-makers.
Change.org is a starting point for raising awareness, but it’s not the complete solution for creating change and reaching politicians and decision-makers.
You’ll need to take additional steps to engage supporters and pressure decision-makers to make a significant impact.
For campaigns that need more than just signatures, platforms like New/Mode offer the tools to turn online activism into real-world results. Combining awareness with strategic action can make a more significant difference in your community and beyond.
