How metrics, perceived popularity, and perceived credibility affect information sharing intentions: A serial mediation model

Allen, H. W., Su, L. Y.-F., Gong, Z., Yeo, S. K., Cacciatore, M.A. “How metrics, perceived popularity, and perceived credibility affect information sharing intentions: A serial mediation model.” Paper presentation at the annual convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), August 2022, Detroit, MI.

Abstract: This two-study paper evaluated how the quantity of engagement metrics accompanying blog posts impacted readers’ information-sharing intentions in the contexts of human-papillomavirus (N = 220) and enhanced geothermal systems (N = 1,091). Both studies showed that metrics quantity had no direct effect on information-sharing intentions, but positively predicted perceived popularity, which subsequently was positively associated with perceived credibility. Both popularity and credibility perceptions were positively related to information-sharing intentions. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.