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Top Comment

BBC
Social Media
Conspiracy Theories
Disinformation
Covid-19
Online Hate
Tiktok
Donald Trump
Gary Matthews
Meta
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Paloma Shemarani
Shrewsbury
Trolling
Misinformation
Deepfakes
Misogyny
NHS
Psychological Impact
Las Vegas Shooting
Facebook

The story behind your social media feed, from BBC correspondent Marianna Spring and investigative journalist Matt Shea.

Top Comment investigates what's blowing up online. From global events that go viral across social media, to bizarre moments that spill into real life, Marianna and Matt unpack the trends, theories and digital chaos shaping our world.

You can also hear Marianna's previous series ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes104Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Tech NewsNews

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Latest Episodes

With the advent of OnlyFans, pornographic content has become a fixture of mainstream social media. But the influence of the adult entertainment industry on internet culture arguably began decades ago. On this episode, Matt and Marianna are joined by ... more

Why are we seeing more death on our feeds? From footage of an Ecuadorean priest being killed by a crucifix to the man who was attacked by a tiger on camera, snuff content appears to be making a comeback. On this episode, Marianna and Matt examine how... more

From shadowboxing Parisians to chihuahuas fronting rap videos, the acceleration in generative AI capability is now impossible to miss on our feeds. On this episode, Matt and Marianna explain how new software allows users to 'reskin' video content to ... more

As The Social Reckoning hits cinemas, the whistleblower who inspired the movie joins Top Comment to discuss what's changed since she leaked tens of thousands of internal Facebook documents in 2021. Considered by many to be the primary catalyst for mu... more

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Recent Guests

Frances Haugen
Facebook whistleblower and data scientist
Facebook/Meta
Episode: Frances Haugen: exposing Facebook five years on
Kristina Wilfore
Expert in information warfare and author of The Grift Economy report
Independent researcher / author
Episode: A grievance syndicate is defrauding young men
Becky Flint
Former child star and YouTuber, discussed as the guest in this episode
Independent/Media
Episode: Andrew Tate is blaming the Matrix again
Curtis Yarvin
Dissident intellectual, author of Mencius Moldbug
Self/Thinker featured in the documentary
Episode: Erling Haaland, crypto billionaires, and the foxes incident
Rachel Connolly
Journalist and cultural commentator with a focus on internet trends
BBC
Episode: Solo-maxxing and the femosphere (live at Crossed Wires)
Gabriel Shemirani
Central figure in the Marianna in Conspiracyland investigation
Family affected by Kate Shemirani; investigations into medical misinformation
Episode: Gabriel Shemirani on medical misinfo and rejecting Conspiracyland
Charlie Downes
Campaigns Director at Restore Britain
Restore Britain
Episode: Restore Britain, Merlin the duck, and FIFA's content farm
Chloe Palmieri
BookTok creator who spoke to the team for insights on the Hot Girls Read controversy
Episode: Agartha explained, and hot girls revolt on BookTok
Hasan Piker
Co-founder/influencer associated with The Young Turks (TYT)
The Young Turks
Episode: Is Hasan Piker NSFW now? And Tung Tung's generational run

Hosts

Matt Shea
Investigative journalist and co-host
Marianna Spring
Host of Top Comment, BBC correspondent

Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars from 3.2k ratings
  • The concept is good and some of the analysis has merit, but the hosts are shockingly ignorant of even recent documented history. If they are going to claim to be sensible moderate analysts then they should spend more time on research and consulting historians. Some of their comments about recent U.S. history and society, for example, are cartoonish and naive. It's also odd that they seem to ignore political theory and systems of power, in an exhausting attempt to being sensible.

    Podcast Addict
    3
    porcupined
    2 months ago
  • Excellent podcast with great presenters. Always interesting and a great overview of what's happening in places on the internet I don't want to be

    Podcast Addict
    5
    IslandLass
    2 months ago
  • Vital!

    The fact that this informative podcast has so clearly been the subject of coordinated slating in the reviews simply demonstrates how important it is for the continuing presence of fact and transparency in the world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Quillpod
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Keep up the good work!

    Always informative and a very important podcast as they deal with conspiracy and misinformation around social media and the internet. I’ve learnt a lot from this team. It’s no surprise that a bunch of the most recent comments and 1 star review scores are from rabid followers and fan base of the influencers they talk about on this show. A fan base who probably haven’t even listened to the podcast fully or left their own echo chamber.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zaa Zehuti
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Not sure why the format switched

    I liked the more scripted/journalistic shows a lot better, I’m not sure why they decided to switch this feed to the chatting-type Top Comment, but it’s not what I signed up for, and it’s not informative or well-researched enough to stick around for. I’m a lot more interested in journalism than I am just hearing the hosts tell me about what they saw on social media this week.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Xbound24
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests with insider perspectives on misinformation and tech policy are valued.
Some episodes are accused of bias and miscontextualization by critics.
The show provides sharp critiques of platform dynamics and influencer ecosystems.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#76
United States/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#3
United Kingdom/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#34
Canada/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#182
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#15
Australia/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#32
Italy/News/Tech News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Frances Haugen: exposing Facebook five years on
Q: The film The Social Reckoning dramatizes some of these events. Do you think it captures the core of what you spoke out about, and what parts do you think are most accurate or exaggerated?
Frances acknowledges the film's strengths in illustrating the whistleblowing process and the intimate effects of platform decisions, while noting that Hollywood dramatization may exaggerate certain dynamics, such as relationships and具体 scenes, compared with the documentary reality of complex governance and global consequences.
Frances Haugen: exposing Facebook five years on
Q: Frances, could you start by telling us who you are and what you did five years ago that sparked this conversation?
Frances describes her background as a data scientist and Facebook whistleblower, detailing how she released thousands of pages of internal documents and the broader impact on regulation, public awareness, and ongoing investigations.
Death by Conspiracy?: 5. Reflections in the Glass
Q: How did the outside commotion affect the broadcast?
The protestors created tension, but the interview was pre-recorded and Tristan was actually in Los Angeles, which surprised Jim Hawkins and added a layer of ethical tension to broadcasting a distant conversation.
Death by Conspiracy?: 5. Reflections in the Glass
Q: What did Tristan want to express in the interview with Gary's family?
He wanted to apologize for not making that crucial phone call earlier and to convey his remorse and the complexity of Gary's online influences.
Death by Conspiracy?: 8. Tracking the Timeline
Q: Have we got it all wrong?
The discussion suggests that susceptibility to conspiracies isn't confined to any single group and can stem from a mix of personal, social, and platform-driven factors, with people across the political spectrum engaging in disinformation.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Top Comment

What is Top Comment about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A fast-moving look at how online platforms, influencers, and the monetization of attention shape what we see online. The show delves into topics like the clipping economy, crypto ventures, prediction markets, misinformation, and cases around child influencers, with guests offering insider perspectives on digital labor, platform policy, and online culture. A throughline is scrutinizing how algorithms and platform design influence public discourse, often pairing sharp analysis with real-world implications for creators and brands. Notable is the willingness to challenge platform narratives and spotlight under-the-radar dynamics driving viral content, making it useful for listeners who want practical takeaways for PR, sponsorships, or media str... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Top Comment?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Top Comment:

1. Americast
2. Strong Message Here
3. Newscast
4. The News Agents
5. Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast

How many episodes of Top Comment are there?

Top Comment launched 3 years ago and published 104 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Top Comment?

Recent guests on Top Comment include:

1. Frances Haugen
2. Kristina Wilfore
3. Becky Flint
4. Curtis Yarvin
5. Rachel Connolly
6. Gabriel Shemirani
7. Charlie Downes
8. Chloe Palmieri

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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