Astroturfing is when groups deceptively create content in digital spaces to manipulate and influence those spaces to believe a movement or initiative is derived from a grassroots or organic origin. The goal is to move the group whatever the vested interest wants them to be.

I bet you were going to argue Lemmy isn't on anyone's radar because it's so small and we're all just super grass roots and organic.

[–] mathemachristian@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Behind walkaway absolutely: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36t5-0Tpu30

The bernie movement was notably organic with a lot of volunteer activity and not astroturfed. That's why the nomination going to Hillary was such a big upset.

The main developers of lemmy are funded by individual donations and the instances largely as well. The only exception I think of is lemmy.world if I remember correctly. Precisely which organisations do you think are astroturfing on lemmy?