How to better navigate the Hasbara disinformation terrain on Linkedin

Since the beginning of "Israel's" ongoing genocide against Palestinians and Lebanese civilians, there has been a noticeable increase in pro-'Israel' LinkedIn accounts. Many of these profiles are clearly fake, created by Hasbara propagandists to spread misinformation, distract, and discourage legitimate criticism of 'Israel’s' reprehensible actions. But how can you tell if an account is genuine or not? One clear sign is when they evade direct questions and simply regurgitate 'Israeli' propaganda talking points. Another method is to scrutinise their profile. Below are some key red flags that can help you navigate the Hasbara disinformation terrain more effectively.

Profile Picture: Genuine profiles usually have a high-quality, professional-looking photo. Look for consistency between the profile photo and the type of role the individual claims. Stock images or low-quality, unclear photos may be a red flag.

Connections: Look at the connections of the profile. Authentic profiles often have connections in the relevant industry, geographic location, and mutual connections if you are in a similar field. Be wary if the profile has very few connections or a disproportionate number of connections without much context.

Profile Completeness: A genuine profile is often filled out in detail. Check for a full work history, detailed job descriptions, relevant skills, endorsements, and recommendations. Fake profiles tend to have incomplete sections or vague job descriptions.

Activity and Engagement: A legitimate profile typically has activity, such as posts, comments, or engagements with other content. If the account has been around for a while but shows no signs of interaction, it could be fake.

Consistency in Job History: Check if the work history is consistent and credible. Look for links between the person's previous roles and their current position. Sudden leaps in seniority or a vague timeline can be suspicious.

Skills and Endorsements: Genuine profiles often have endorsements from others in their network. A lack of endorsements, or endorsements from people with suspicious profiles, can indicate a fake account.

Recommendations: Genuine profiles usually have recommendations from colleagues or clients. Fake profiles often lack these personal testimonials.

Publications or Content: Look for content the person may have shared, published, or commented on. People in certain industries tend to share relevant industry articles, blogs, or other forms of content that show expertise.

Customized URL: Many authentic LinkedIn users customize their profile URLs (e.g., linkedin.com/in/firstname-lastname). Generic or incomplete URLs may suggest less attention to detail, though this alone isn't always a definitive indicator.

Check External Links: If the profile claims employment with a certain company, visit that company’s website to see if the person is listed there. You can also check for cross-links to other professional platforms like company websites, Google Scholar, or GitHub (depending on the field).

Don’t waste your time engaging with Hasbara bots—that’s exactly what they want. Their goal is to provoke you, push you into saying something they can twist and weaponise against you. These individuals are willing to go to any lengths, even attempting to sabotage your reputation, all in the name of furthering 'Israeli' hegemony in the Middle East. Don’t become their victim—stay smart. Identify, report, and block these accounts. Don’t give these soulless agents of disinformation the attention or legitimacy they crave. Be wise, protect yourself, and don’t give them any air time.