Facebook and Twitter Use of Candidates in the 2021 Federal Election

In the current issue of “Media Perspektiven”, PD Dr. Jan-Hinrik Schmidt describes how the candidates for the 2021 Bundestag election used social media.

Most important findings

• In the 2021 federal election, candidates significantly expanded their social media activities compared to the election in 2017
• Facebook is still more widespread among candidates than Twitter
• Elected representatives are more active than other candidates
• Most social media activities took place just before the election.
• In particular, newly elected or first-time MPs were able to increase their reach on Facebook and Twitter.

Facebook and Twitter Use of Candidates in the 2021 Federal Election. Distribution, Activity and Sources of Information. In: Media Perspektiven 12/2021, pp. 639-653. Available online:

Schmidt, Jan-Hinrik (2022): Facebook- und Twitter-Nutzung der Kandidierenden zur Bundestagswahl 2021. Verbreitung, Aktivität und Informationsquellen [Facebook and Twitter Use of Candidates in the 2021 Federal Election]. In: Media Perspektiven 12/2021, pp. 639-653. Available online.