Internet Conspiracy Theories and Why People Believe Them

How conspiracy theories form, spread online, and why they feel so convincing in the digital age

The picture was made by the author with the help of an AI program

It is almost certain that everyone reading this has come across at least one, if not several, conspiracy theories circulating online and, after careful consideration, felt like there might actually be some truth in them.

You know that feeling when you stumble upon a strange article, post, or video online, and the more you read or watch, the more it starts to make sense. Even if, from the very title or the beginning, it seemed like complete nonsense, the deeper you go into the content, the more it starts to look like you’ve discovered a hidden gem or a secret truth that was previously invisible to you. Events begin to connect, patterns emerge, conclusions start to form on their own, and suddenly it feels like you’ve been enlightened. Everything makes sense, all the dots are connected, and yet what has actually happened is that you’ve come to believe in a conspiracy theory.

In this article, we explore who stands behind conspiracy theories, how they emerge and spread across the internet, and why people believe them.

What conspiracy theories actually are and how they form

A conspiracy theory is, in the simplest terms, an attempt to explain an event or situation by claiming that behind it lies a secret organization, a hidden group of powerful individuals, or a global elite controlling the world and manipulating political events from behind the scenes.

Instead of accepting the official or most likely explanation, a conspiracy theory suggests that the real truth is hidden and that someone is deliberately covering things up or manipulating events for control.

Such ideas usually emerge when people do not trust institutions, when they feel confused, or when something big and difficult to understand happens. In those moments, the mind searches for a simpler explanation that connects all the pieces into one coherent story, even if that story is not supported by evidence.

Before the internet, conspiracy theories spread through word of mouth, closed groups, or alternative media. With the arrival of the internet, their spread did not just accelerate; it transformed them entirely. Today, social networks and algorithms allow such ideas to spread almost virally, often faster than verified information. This has changed not only how conspiracy theories form but also how they become deeply rooted in people’s beliefs.

One of the key reasons conspiracy theories emerge lies in how the human brain functions under uncertainty. People have a deep need to understand the world around them, to feel in control of events, and to maintain a sense of safety. When complex or traumatic events occur, such as pandemics, political crises, or economic shocks, the brain naturally seeks simple explanations. In such situations, conspiracy theories offer a “closed narrative” that connects all points into a logically structured whole, even when there is no real evidence for it. Psychological research shows that people who feel insecure, lose control, or distrust institutions are more likely to accept such explanations.

Another important factor is the way the brain processes patterns. The human brain is evolutionarily designed to detect patterns, even where none exist. This is known as pattern recognition bias. In the past, this ability helped survival, but in the modern world, it often leads to incorrect conclusions. When this tendency is combined with confirmation bias, the tendency to seek information that confirms what we already believe, a fertile ground is created for the development and persistence of conspiracy theories.

The internet amplifies this effect even further because social media algorithms often promote emotionally strong, controversial, or shocking content, which naturally generates more engagement. This means conspiracy theories, which are often dramatic and emotionally charged, have a higher chance of being distributed and seen. The more people watch them, the more algorithms promote them, and the more they are promoted, the more “credible” they appear, simply because they seem widely accepted. This creates a closed loop between users, conspiracy theories, and algorithms.

Another key aspect is monetization and the digital attention economy. On platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and others, emotionally charged content often generates more views and therefore more revenue. This means conspiracy theories are not only spreading organically but are sometimes actively amplified because they bring clicks, attention, and profit. In this way, an ecosystem is created where truth and sensationalism compete, and sensationalism usually wins.

The most well-known conspiracy theories

When discussing the most widespread conspiracy theories on the internet, three stand out due to their global reach, number of followers, and search frequency.

QAnon

The first is QAnon, one of the most well-known modern conspiracy theories, which emerged online in 2017.

Their core belief is that a cabal of Satanic, cannibalistic child molesters in league with the deep state is operating a global child sex trafficking ring and that Donald Trump is secretly leading the fight against them

The name “QAnon” comes from an anonymous online user known as “Q,” who claimed to have access to classified information from the highest levels of government in the United States.

This theory spread rapidly through social media and forums, developing into a broad narrative involving politics, celebrities, and deep distrust of institutions. Its strength does not lie in a single idea, but in its flexibility; it can absorb new events and reinterpret them as “evidence” of the conspiracy. At its core is the idea of a hidden battle between “good” and “evil” forces, which will eventually end in a major revelation and punishment of those responsible. This simple moral structure makes it especially appealing to people seeking clarity in a complex world.

Over time, the theory evolved to include various political events, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other global crises, always finding ways to integrate them into its core narrative.

Due to its adaptability, emotional appeal, and strong online community, QAnon has become more than just a conspiracy theory; it has turned into a digital movement demonstrating how quickly information, accurate or not, can shape perceptions of reality in modern society.

9/11

The second is the 9/11 conspiracy theory, which remains one of the most searched and widely discussed conspiracy theories in internet history.

Conspiracy theories about the September 11, 2001 attacks claim that the official explanation, that the terrorist group Al-Qaeda hijacked planes and carried out attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, is incomplete or not entirely accurate.

Instead, various theories suggest that the U.S. government or other powerful institutions either had prior knowledge of the attacks, allowed them to happen, or even orchestrated them to achieve political and military goals, such as justifying wars in Afghanistan and Iraq or increasing domestic control.

Supporters of these theories argue that the buildings could not have collapsed solely due to plane impacts and fire, but instead suggest controlled demolition. The collapse of World Trade Center 7, which was not hit by a plane, is often highlighted as supposed evidence.

Another claim focuses on the Pentagon, where some believe a Boeing 757 could not have struck the building in the way officially described, raising questions about whether a plane hit it at all.

While official reports, including the 9/11 Commission Report, conclude that the attacks were carried out by Al-Qaeda terrorists, some people believe that key aspects remain unexplained or concealed. This theory persists largely because it is tied to a traumatic global event, which often leaves space for alternative interpretations.

Flat Earth Theory

The Flat Earth theory claims that the planet is not a sphere but a flat plane, often described as a disk with the North Pole at the center, while Antarctica is portrayed not as a continent but as a massive ice wall surrounding the edge of the world.

Supporters of this theory believe that all satellite images of Earth are fake or manipulated and that space agencies such as NASA are part of a large-scale deception hiding the “truth.” As evidence, they often point to subjective observations, such as the horizon always appearing flat, water seeking a “level surface,” or the sensation that the Earth does not feel like it is moving, although these claims are scientifically explained by physics and the planet’s scale.

In their model, the Sun and Moon are not massive distant celestial bodies but smaller objects moving above the flat Earth, explaining day and night. Some also propose the existence of a dome enclosing the Earth, preventing access to space. Additionally, believers often claim that the Moon landing never happened and was staged by NASA.

This theory spreads mainly through social media and video platforms, where emotional and shocking content attracts more attention than scientific explanations. Followers often express distrust toward institutions, science, and media, which makes the theory feel like a way of “seeing what others do not see.”

Scientifically, the evidence for a spherical Earth has existed for centuries, from satellite imagery and navigation systems to simple experiments such as Eratosthenes’ measurement of shadows.

However, the Flat Earth theory persists not because of strong evidence, but because it fits a worldview based on distrust of official sources and a search for alternative explanations.

Conclusion

When all of this is put together, it becomes clear that conspiracy theories are not just “internet stories,” but a complex socio-psychological phenomenon. They arise at the intersection of the human need for meaning, cognitive shortcuts used by the brain, social crises, and digital platforms that reward emotional content.

A major factor is the social dimension. Conspiracy theories often function as a form of community. People who believe in them not only receive an alternative explanation of the world but also a sense of belonging to a group that “knows the truth.” This social aspect makes it even harder to change beliefs, since accepting an opposing view would also mean leaving the community.

From a psychological perspective, people who believe in conspiracy theories are not necessarily irrational in the traditional sense. Modern research suggests that this is not about a lack of intelligence, but rather a combination of psychological factors such as a sense of injustice, a need for security, and low tolerance for uncertainty. In other words, conspiracy theories are not the result of ignorance, but of a specific way of interpreting the world under emotional and cognitive pressure.

Ultimately, understanding conspiracy theories is not only about analyzing them, but also about understanding human nature itself. They reveal how strongly people seek meaning, even when that meaning is not supported by evidence. This is why conspiracy theories remain persistent; they change form, but they do not disappear.