Google Ads Expert Witness

Social Media Expert Witness & Digital Communication Litigation Consulting

Explaining Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and Reddit Behavior in Plain English

Social media has become the public square of the modern era — where opinions, advertising, and reputations are made and challenged.
As a Social Media Expert Witness, Dan Stratford provides clear, data-driven analysis that helps attorneys, courts, and juries understand how Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and other platforms actually work — and how online actions translate into real-world impact.

With nearly 30 years of experience in digital marketing, online communication, and platform governance, Dan offers expert insight into how content spreads, how users interact, and whether individuals or organizations exercised reasonable due care in their digital conduct.

Making Complex Social Media Systems Understandable

Each platform has its own algorithms, rules, and culture — but the legal questions are often the same:
Who saw it? How far did it spread? Was it misleading or negligent?

Dan translates these technical questions into clear, courtroom-ready explanations, helping attorneys and judges understand how content visibility, moderation, and user behavior differ across platforms like Instagram Reels, Facebook Pages, TikTok videos, Reddit threads, and X posts.

He clarifies:

How social media algorithms amplify or suppress content

• What “reasonable oversight” and due care look like in digital communication
• How virality, engagement, and user targeting can affect liability and intent

Areas of Expert Testimony

1. Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) Conduct

• Analysis of post visibility, engagement reach, and algorithmic amplification
• Review of deleted or altered posts, screenshots, and share histories
• Examination of defamation, harassment, or brand damage claims
• Evaluation of Meta (Facebook and Instagram) content policies and enforcement patterns
• Clarification of Twitter/X community guidelines, labeling, and account actions

2. TikTok Content, Influencers, and Algorithmic Reach

• Analysis of TikTok’s For You Page algorithm and virality mechanisms
• Evaluation of influencer compliance with FTC disclosure rules and partnership agreements
• Determination of imitation, algorithmic manipulation, or copied content (e.g., sound, caption, or format)
• Examination of shadow-banning, content moderation, and community guideline enforcement

3. Reddit, Forums, and Community-Based Platforms

• Analysis of Reddit thread visibility, karma systems, and upvote dynamics
• Evaluation of defamation or misinformation spread in Reddit communities
• Clarification of moderation roles, content removal, and anonymous posting
• Review of reputational or brand harm stemming from viral discussions

4. Corporate Social Media Oversight and Compliance

• Assessment of employee or company misconduct on social media
• Policy review for corporate communications, brand responses, and digital governance
• Evaluation of HR actions or termination decisions involving public posts
• Identification of negligence in social media monitoring or policy enforcement

5. Defamation, Reputation, and Online Harm

• Reconstruction of deleted posts or accounts from Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and Reddit
• Timeline and reach analysis showing when and how content went viral
• Evaluation of intent, foreseeability, and harm in online reputation disputes
• Contextualization of memes, replies, and reposts for meaning and tone

6. Evidence Authentication and Forensics

• Verification of timestamps, metadata, and geolocation data
• Confirmation of image/video authenticity and AI-generated or edited content
• Chain-of-custody review for digital exhibits and screenshots
• Forensic reconstruction of post history and engagement metrics

Expert Credentials

• 20+ years of experience in social media, SEO, and digital marketing strategy
• Proven expertise across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), Reddit, and LinkedIn
• Deep understanding of platform algorithms, engagement metrics, and policy enforcement
• Experienced in digital evidence analysis and online reputation disputes
• Skilled at explaining complex online behavior in plain, persuasive language

Common Case Types Supported

• Defamation and Online Harassment Cases
• Employment Termination and Misconduct Investigations
• Influencer Contract and Disclosure Disputes
• Trademark, Copyright, and Brand Misrepresentation Claims
• Negligence or Lack of Due Care in Digital Communication
• False or Misleading Social Media Advertising
• Corporate Governance and Reputation Management Litigation

Deliverables & Expert Services

• Expert Reports and Affidavits
• Deposition and Trial Testimony
• Platform Policy and Governance Analysis
• Forensic Social Media Evidence Reconstruction
• Viral Content Reach and Impact Evaluation
• Digital Compliance and Due Care Assessments

Approach

Dan’s approach combines technical insight with clear communication.
He helps courts see how complex social platforms function — and why small actions can have massive ripple effects.

1. Clarify — Explain how Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, and X algorithms and engagement systems work.

2. Contextualize — Evaluate whether posts or responses align with standard practices and due care.

3. Communicate — Deliver defensible findings in language that judges, attorneys, and jurors can understand.

Contact for Social Media Expert Witness Engagements

If your case involves social media conduct, defamation, influencer disputes, or online communications, contact:
📧 dan@stratexdigitalmarketing.com

📞 720-985-7945