Storyful, a social news and strategic intelligence agency

In vetting information and images from the war in Ukraine, Storyful has asked: where did this happen, who filmed it, and when was it shot? We arrive at answers using open-source verification methods as well as sensitive, secure contact with sources on the ground.

Storyful has so far verified more than 1,650 videos and images relating to the war, spanning the buildup of tensions ahead of the February 24 invasion to the latest events. This footage shares compelling first-hand accounts that put a human face on the conflict and fights the spread of mis- and dis-information.

The Storyful Explains video series was created to bring trusted context, verification and unbiased reporting to social media platforms using the engaging medium of user-generated content to tell breaking news stories from a first-hand perspective.

Since its creation, Storyful Explains has delved into topics dominating the headlines, including Roe-vs-Wade, monkeypox and the Taliban’s human rights violations in Afghanistan. Designed to act as a timeline of the main facts, the videos reflect the consumption habits of digital natives, breaking down each story into bite-size pieces.

Storyful analyzed social media conversation related to their client’s efforts in sustainability to uncover blockers to brand messaging and strategy. Storyful’s work was central to safeguarding the brand’s reputation in four key global markets. Storyful Intelligence examined 30k data points that contained direct mentions of the brand relative to sustainability on platforms including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Reddit, fringe networks, blogs and digital forums. Using proprietary technology paired with human analysis, Storyful characterized the most prominent views of the client’s brand within a given geography, including both drivers of backlash and of positivity. Empowering the client through actionable intelligence, Storyful then identified partnership opportunities with ten influencers in key global regions.

This enabled the client to partner with these influencers on a strategic sustainability education program. The partnership with Storyful Intelligence identified influencers with the reach to help position our client as a global sustainability leader, improving the client’s reputation among sustainability activists and the general population. Storyful continues to support this global asset manager with: • Quarterly Assessment Reports tracking reputational changes and sentiment towards the brand, as well as key competitors • Ongoing Beacon monitoring to swiftly identify emerging themes, risks and opportunities relative to brand and the industry • Bespoke campaign messaging support and impact monitoring amongst the general population, as well as within key spheres of influence

The Storyful Intelligence team took a holistic view of the global situation, investigating how different regions responded to COVID-19 information and misinformation by analyzing user networks, patterns of engagement, content spread, trends, cross-platform activity, and more. The team was able to determine malicious usage of the client’s product feature to disseminate harmful content about vaccines and to mobilize against vaccine programs. Storyful Intelligence also identified and tracked a high volume of videos promoting false narratives about COVID-19 cures and many conspiracy theories about the broader pandemic issues. Prior to security measures introduced by platforms, this content existed freely on global public platforms without warning tags or moderation.

Storyful provided strategic guidance on emerging language, codes and tactics being adopted by bad actors that could be used to manipulate the client’s consumer base with misinformation. Delivering key recommendations to the client’s Trust & Safety team, Storyful Intelligence highlighted a requirement for stronger moderation of the client’s product line to ensure bad actors were deterred from using their wide product suite to spread harmful narratives.