--- title: "Early Insights: The Future of Political Engagement Research Project" description: Discover early findings on how progressive campaigns are leveraging digital platforms like WhatsApp, Bluesky, and LinkedIn to drive engagement and action in political advocacy. image: https://www.newmode.net/hubfs/Social%20Meda%20Post%20(1).jpg --- Some additional information in one line [Steve Anderson](https://www.newmode.net/blog/author/steve-anderson) #### Steve Anderson is the co-founder and chief strategist… # Early Insights: The Future of Political Engagement Research Project [![Steve Anderson](https://www.newmode.net/hs-fs/hubfs/NewMode_March2020_Theme/images/steve_anderson.png?width=80&height=80&name=steve_anderson.png) ](https://www.newmode.net/blog/author/steve-anderson) [Steve Anderson](https://www.newmode.net/blog/author/steve-anderson) Sep 4, 2025 We’ve been digging deep into how progressive campaigns and their supporters are using social and messaging platforms to mobilize action.  While our final report is still in the works, early results from[**The Future of Political Engagement Research Project** ](https://www.newmode.net/blog/the-future-of-political-engagement-research-project)already show important shifts in the digital advocacy landscape. ## **Bluesky Rising, X Declining, Facebook remains important** ![Screenshot 2025-12-05 at 4.48.50 PM](https://www.newmode.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-12-05%20at%204.48.50%20PM.png?width=1132&height=1126&name=Screenshot%202025-12-05%20at%204.48.50%20PM.png) According to one study in this project, Bluesky is now generating **50% more shares than X/Twitter**. Facebook remains surprisingly strong, with more shares than any other platform and a surprising strong click rate.  ## **Instagram’s Mixed Role** ![](https://www.newmode.net/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Sep-04-2025-04-17-57-4611-PM.png?width=493&height=435&name=undefined-Sep-04-2025-04-17-57-4611-PM.png) Instagram continues to rank highly in campaigners’ perceptions according to a 2024 study, with **82% naming it their most effective platform** for reaching progressive audiences. Stories outperform static posts, generating **2.4x higher click-throughs**. Short-form content shines here too,  videos under 60 seconds drive **5x more shares** than longer formats. But while visibility is high, many campaigns note that Instagram engagement doesn’t always translate into concrete actions, especially given its limitations on links. ## WhatsApp and Bluesky win on engagement ![Screenshot 2025-12-05 at 4.45.20 PM](https://www.newmode.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-12-05%20at%204.45.20%20PM.png?width=1258&height=834&name=Screenshot%202025-12-05%20at%204.45.20%20PM.png)   ## **The Bigger Picture** Across all channels, one clear trend is emerging: **peer-to-peer or “organic” sharing is king.** Campaign links shared directly by supporters in messaging apps had **4x higher click rates** than mass-blast messages. At the same time, campaigners are grappling with familiar challenges: - Engagement doesn’t always equal action. - Decision-makers aren’t active on every supporter-preferred platform. - Tracking cross-platform engagement remains a hurdle. - Advocates want more analytics and pre-filled post formats outside of Twitter/X. ## **What’s Next** We’re still collecting data and input!  The final report will dig deeper into what’s working, what’s not, and how campaigns can adapt their strategies. *To ensure you receive the full results from this research project, [please](https://www.newmode.net/future)[ fill out the form here](https://www.newmode.net/future).   For now, the message is clear: **progressive campaigns need to think beyond any one platform.WhatsApp **and[ Bluesky ](https://bsky.app/profile/newmode.bsky.social)are on the rise, Facebook and Instagram still matter, and LinkedIn offers untapped potential. The future of digital advocacy will belong to campaigns that meet supporters where they are and make sharing and acting as frictionless as possible. Further Reading  [Turn social media likes into real-world change](https://www.newmode.net/blog/turn-social-media-likes-into-real-world-change)   [social sharing](https://www.newmode.net/blog/tag/social-sharing) [Advocacy Tools](https://www.newmode.net/blog/tag/advocacy-tools) [Activism](https://www.newmode.net/blog/tag/activism) [Technology](https://www.newmode.net/blog/tag/technology) [Trending](https://www.newmode.net/blog/tag/trending) [V2](https://www.newmode.net/blog/tag/v2) [![Steve Anderson](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/2288048/hubfs/NewMode_March2020_Theme/images/steve_anderson.png?width=160&height=160&length=200&name=steve_anderson.png) ](https://www.newmode.net/blog/author/steve-anderson) Written by ## [Steve Anderson](https://www.newmode.net/blog/author/steve-anderson) #### Steve Anderson is the co-founder and chief strategist for New/Mode — a values-based platform that provides targeted online engagement tools. https://NewMode.net ## More From New/Mode Blog #### More on V2 from New/Mode Blog #### More on V2 from New/Mode Blog ### [The Social Media Advocacy Flywheel: What High-Performing Campaigns Have Figured Out](https://www.newmode.net/blog/the-social-media-advocacy-flywheel-what-high-performing-campaigns-have-figured-out) [![Steve Anderson](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/2288048/hubfs/NewMode_March2020_Theme/images/steve_anderson.png?width=40&height=40&name=steve_anderson.png) ](https://www.newmode.net/blog/author/steve-anderson) [Steve Anderson](https://www.newmode.net/blog/author/steve-anderson) in [New/Mode Blog](https://www.newmode.net/blog) Jun 23 #### More on V2 from New/Mode Blog #### More on V2 from New/Mode Blog ### [Newsletter - March Edition](https://www.newmode.net/blog/newsletter-march-edition) [![Jessica Currie](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==) ](https://www.newmode.net/blog/author/jessica-currie) [Jessica Currie](https://www.newmode.net/blog/author/jessica-currie) in [New/Mode Blog](https://www.newmode.net/blog) Mar 19 #### More on V2 from New/Mode Blog #### More on V2 from New/Mode Blog ### [Advocacy engagement is getting harder in 2026. Here’s what to do about it.](https://www.newmode.net/blog/advocacy-engagement-is-getting-harder-in-2026.-heres-what-to-do-about-it) [![Steve Anderson](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/2288048/hubfs/NewMode_March2020_Theme/images/steve_anderson.png?width=40&height=40&name=steve_anderson.png) ](https://www.newmode.net/blog/author/steve-anderson) [Steve Anderson](https://www.newmode.net/blog/author/steve-anderson) in [New/Mode Blog](https://www.newmode.net/blog) Mar 18 ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=1941068&fmt=gif) ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=1941068&fmt=gif) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Steve Anderson", "url" : "https://www.newmode.net/blog/author/steve-anderson" }, "dateModified" : "2025-12-06T01:03:54.442Z", "datePublished" : "2025-09-04T18:34:42.000Z", "headline" : "Early Insights: The Future of Political Engagement Research Project", "image" : [ "https://www.newmode.net/hubfs/Social%20Meda%20Post%20(1).jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.newmode.net/blog/early-insights-the-future-of-political-engagement-research-project", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.newmode.net/hubfs/Primary-Full-Horizonta-2.png" }, "name" : "New/Mode" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "Article", "author" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "New/Mode" }, "dateModified" : "2025-09-04", "datePublished" : "2025-09-04", "description" : "Early insights from The Future of Political Engagement: WhatsApp leads, Bluesky rises as X declines; Facebook & Instagram still matter, and LinkedIn converts.", "headline" : "Political Engagement Research: WhatsApp Leads; Bluesky Rises; X Declines", "image" : "https://www.newmode.net/assets/og/future-of-political-engagement.jpg", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.newmode.net/blog/future-of-political-engagement-early-insights", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.newmode.net/assets/logo.png" }, "name" : "New/Mode" } } ```