The Internet Election: How Attention Dictates Victory
Go from ZERO to HERO on the Internet with Clickonomics. This podcast is a discussion of the book Clickonomics: How to Win Customers and Influence People on the Internet (https://click-o-nomics.com) written by Simba Mudonzvo; Whether you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, or content creator, or just curious how the internet works tune in to learn how the internet works from: MrBeast, Andrew Tate, Elon Musk, Taylor Swift, David Bowie, Web 1.0, Web 2.0, Web 3.0, Matrix, Digital Marketing, Ecommerce, Esports, SEO, PPC, $100M offer, Simba’s Content Matrix, Customer Ikigai, IPO, Simba’s Five Forces, AI..
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In the vast, chaotic world of the internet, attention is the ultimate currency. If you can capture it, you can shape opinions, rally supporters, and even influence national politics. In the age of the internet, winning attention often means winning the narrative—and potentially, winning elections. As Donald Trump and Kamala Harris bid for the White House in 2024, understanding their chances through the lens of internet marketing offers a fresh, insightful perspective on who might triumph in capturing the hearts and minds of American voters.
Enter Simba’s Five Forces—a groundbreaking internet marketing tool designed to evaluate competitive success in the attention economy. Instead of conventional polling or statistical models, this analysis uses Simba’s Five Forces to assess how Trump and Harris are leveraging the internet to sway voters. After all, if you can win over “internet America,” you may be on your way to winning the nation itself. This novel perspective redefines how we think about the intersection of political power and the attention economy.
I’m familiar with British politics and fascinated by how things pan out in the U.S., especially since the U.S. president is often seen as the de facto leader of the free world. Let’s dive into how Trump and Harris are faring in this battle for attention.
1. Threat of New Content: Who Has the Freshest Ideas?
In the attention economy, new content is like fuel for a campaign—it keeps the fire burning. The more fresh and engaging content you produce, the better your chances of holding people’s attention. For example, news websites thrive by constantly posting breaking stories. If you can’t keep it new, you risk losing people’s interest. Let’s see how Trump and Harris measure up.
In 2016, Donald Trump dominated the internet by offering something new every day—new controversies, new statements, new enemies. His unpredictability meant news cycles orbited around him, ensuring that his name never left people’s social media feeds. But in 2024, Trump’s themes are well-worn out. The focus on immigration and economic woes, although important, has lost its shock value and feels all too familiar – he has become so desperate by even claiming that immigrants are eating peoples cats and dogs! On the internet, where novelty drives clicks, Trump’s predictability limits his impact. Without fresh material, even loyal followers begin to look elsewhere for engagement.
Kamala Harris, on the other hand, enters with the potential novelty of being the first female President of the United States. This unique historical proposition certainly captures attention—but once established, her content needs continuous refreshment. The campaign has yet to effectively capitalize on this historic moment with ongoing, dynamic content that keeps her story compelling. Without consistent surprises, her narrative risks stagnation, and internet America moves on quickly.
Score:
- Trump: 6/10 – lacks new themes and fails to bring something different.
- Harris: 7/10 – holds the promise of novelty but needs deeper, continuous engagement.
2. Threat of Different Types of Content: Short Form is King
Different types of content have different levels of attention-grabbing power. Right now, short-form video content is the king of the internet. It’s what people want, and it’s where they spend their time. Think of how TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels are dominating online attention—quick, engaging visuals are what capture the audience. The question is, are Trump and Harris keeping up with this trend?
The internet of 2024 demands diverse content—especially short-form videos, which have taken over as the most effective means of reaching younger audiences. Back in the Trump-Clinton election, memes were the main currency, but now, TikTok and Instagram Reels reign supreme. Neither Trump nor Harris has excelled in this area. Trump’s campaign hasn’t effectively embraced short-form video content, making him appear disconnected from Gen Z audiences. Similarly, Harris has struggled to deliver short-form content that connects authentically with users.
One area where both candidates have embraced change is in the rise of podcasts. Podcast appearances have become a key strategy for reaching audiences who no longer tune in to traditional TV or media interviews. Both Trump and Harris have been leveraging podcasts to share their messages in a more conversational, accessible format.
Different types of content have different levels of attention-grabbing power. Right now, short-form video content is the king of the internet. It’s what people want, and it’s where they spend their time. Think of how TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels are dominating online attention—quick, engaging visuals are what capture the audience. The question is, are Trump and Harris keeping up with this trend?
The internet of 2024 demands diverse content—especially short-form videos, which have taken over as the most effective means of reaching younger audiences. Back in the Trump-Clinton election, memes were the main currency, but now, TikTok and Instagram Reels reign supreme. Neither Trump nor Harris has excelled in this area. Trump’s campaign hasn’t effectively embraced short-form video content, making him appear disconnected from Gen Z audiences. Similarly, Harris has struggled to deliver short-form content that connects authentically with users.
Both candidates need to adapt if they want to secure the youth vote. The rise of TikTok and similar platforms means that Gen Z’s attention is focused on brief, engaging visuals, yet both campaigns have yet to capture this energy.
Score:
- Trump: 5/10 – no significant strategy for short-form, which leaves a gap in reaching the youth.
- Harris: 5/10 – lacking creativity and engagement on trending platforms.
3. Competition for Attention: A Noisy Internet
The internet is crowded, with millions of voices all trying to be heard at once. It’s a competition for attention—only the most compelling content will stand out. This force is about cutting through the noise. For instance, during major events like the Super Bowl, brands and influencers fight tooth and nail for just a moment of your focus. Let’s see how Trump and Harris are handling this challenge.
The internet is noisier than ever. Viral trends, entertainment influencers, and breaking news are all fighting for space on people’s screens. In this crowded environment, Trump’s once-formidable ability to dominate attention has waned. His divisive style still garners interest from his core audience but fails to resonate as powerfully in the current, more fragmented internet.
Harris faces similar challenges. Her online visibility is steady but lacks the viral punch that can differentiate her from the cacophony of daily internet noise. She hasn’t yet found a way to stand out dramatically in a saturated media environment.
Score:
- Trump: 6/10 – residual influence, but struggles to break through.
- Harris: 6/10 – consistent presence, but lacks the ‘wow’ factor.
4. Bargaining Power of Content Platforms & Content Creators: Gatekeepers of Visibility
Content platforms are crucial, but content creators—those influencers with loyal, captive audiences—are just as important. They have the power to sway public opinion and direct attention to specific issues or candidates. Think of influencers like Taylor Swift, who can mobilize millions of followers with a single post. This bargaining power is key for candidates looking to win the internet.
The gatekeepers of online visibility—Twitter, Facebook, Google, TikTok—control who gets seen and heard. Trump’s reliance on Twitter as his megaphone faced a severe blow when he was banned following the Capitol Hill riots, and though Elon Musk reinstated his account, the comeback lacked the fervor it once commanded. With platforms actively restricting his reach, Trump’s influence on the internet is stunted.
However, Trump has leaned heavily on his own social network, Truth Social, recognizing that he has limited bargaining power with major platforms. He’s also leveraging Elon Musk’s support. Musk, with his massive following on X (formerly Twitter), has appeared at Trump rallies, adding a significant boost to his campaign.
Kamala Harris benefits from celebrity endorsements—Taylor Swift, for instance—which inherently amplifies her voice on social platforms. Mainstream platforms tend to favor positive endorsements from influential figures, giving Harris an advantage in the reach war. However, converting this reach into engagement remains an ongoing challenge.
Content platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok are the gatekeepers of the internet—they decide what gets seen and what doesn’t. If you’re on their good side, you can get massive visibility. Think of how certain influencers get boosted by these platforms because they fit the content that platforms want. Are Trump and Harris getting help or facing obstacles from these gatekeepers?
The gatekeepers of online visibility—Twitter, Facebook, Google, TikTok—control who gets seen and heard. Trump’s reliance on Twitter as his megaphone faced a severe blow when he was banned following the Capitol Hill riots, and though Elon Musk reinstated his account, the comeback lacked the fervor it once commanded. With platforms actively restricting his reach, Trump’s influence on the internet is stunted.
Kamala Harris benefits from celebrity endorsements—Taylor Swift, for instance—which inherently amplifies her voice on social platforms. Mainstream platforms tend to favor positive endorsements from influential figures, giving Harris an advantage in the reach war. However, converting this reach into engagement remains an ongoing challenge.
Score:
- Trump: 5/10 – restricted platform presence limits his reach.
- Harris: 7/10 – influencer support helps visibility, but deeper engagement is required.
5. Bargaining Power of Internet Users: Who Resonates Most?
Internet users are ultimately the ones who decide who gets attention. They choose what trends and what falls flat. Think of viral videos—they don’t go viral because someone decides it; they do because people decide to share them. This force is about how much power you have to resonate with and mobilize the average user. Let’s look at how Trump and Harris are connecting with their audiences.
Ultimately, it is the users who decide who wins on the internet. Trump’s personality evokes strong reactions—his followers are devoted, but his divisiveness limits his appeal beyond this base. To expand, he must appeal to undecided voters in a way that doesn’t alienate others, which has proven difficult given his polarizing reputation.
Harris, with fewer controversies, has a broader mainstream appeal. Endorsements by key internet influencers help her connect with a wide audience, but turning this passive support into active engagement and mobilization remains critical.
Score:
- Trump: 6/10 – strong core base, but limited ability to grow beyond it.
- Harris: 7/10 – broader mainstream appeal but needs deeper engagement.
The Verdict: Who Wins the Internet?
Donald Trump: 28/50 – Trump has a solid foundation with his core base but struggles to adapt to new content forms and changing platform dynamics. His reliance on old strategies leaves him at risk of being drowned out by the evolving internet.
Kamala Harris: 32/50 – Harris has a slight edge, primarily due to her support from influencers and mainstream platforms, but needs to work on her content differentiation and use of short-form video to effectively capture attention.
The 2024 election is far from decided, but through the lens of Simba’s Five Forces, we see a clear message: while both candidates have strengths, neither is fully leveraging the power of the internet to its maximum potential. This analysis reveals a shift in how political campaigns must operate—winning on the internet is no longer optional; it is a necessity.
Is Winning Internet Attention the Key to Winning Elections?
If we consider the correlation between internet popularity and electoral success, recent elections have shown that a candidate who dominates online attention often influences public discourse and perception. Barack Obama’s effective use of social media in 2008, Trump’s explosive rise in 2016—both used the internet to propel their narratives beyond traditional media. It suggests that if Kamala Harris or Donald Trump can master the art of captivating online audiences, they may very well master the outcome of the election.
For now, Harris seems to have a slight advantage in the online attention game. But the tide of the internet is fickle, and both candidates need to innovate, adapt, and evolve their strategies if they hope to capture not just clicks, but also votes in November.
The Attention Economy is the Battlefield—and America is Watching.
Do you think Simba’s Five Forces provides a new way of understanding political campaigns, or are traditional polls still the best indicator of victory? Share your thoughts and let’s keep the conversation going.