The Digital Agora
An academic exploration of Change.org, the leading platform for online petitions, examining its history, impact, business model, and the criticisms it faces in the realm of civic engagement.
What is Change.org? 👇 Explore Petitions 📝Dive in with Flashcard Learning!
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮
Understanding Change.org
A Platform for Advocacy
Change.org is a global online platform that empowers individuals and organizations to create and sign petitions. Its primary objective is to facilitate social change by raising awareness and influencing decision-makers across a wide spectrum of causes, including justice, human rights, environmental protection, and animal rights.
Scale and Reach
As of October 2025, Change.org reports a substantial user base of 565 million individuals worldwide. This extensive network positions it as a significant force in digital activism, enabling campaigns to reach vast audiences and potentially mobilize collective action on a global scale.
Corporate Structure
Change.org operates as a privately held, Delaware public benefit corporation. It is also owned by the Change.org Foundation, indicating a dual structure that aims to balance commercial viability with a commitment to social impact and public good.
Evolution of a Digital Movement
Genesis and Early Growth
Founded by Ben Rattray, Mark Dimas, Darren Haas, and Adam Cheyer, Change.org was launched in February 2007. The platform quickly gained traction, evolving into a major hub for online activism. A significant milestone was the merger with the Spanish-speaking platform Actuable in 2012, expanding its international presence.
Global Expansion and Investment
By 2012, Change.org had established offices on four continents and employed 100 staff members. The platform secured substantial investment, including a $15 million round led by Omidyar Network in May 2013, underscoring its growth and potential. Features were continuously developed, such as tools for petition recipients to respond publicly.
Labor Relations and Modernization
In June 2021, a significant development occurred when a majority of US and Canadian staff unionized, forming CODE-CWA. This marked a notable step in labor relations within the tech advocacy sector. The company has also adapted its business model over time, including shifts in its approach to enterprise use of its services.
Impactful Campaigns: A Global Snapshot
Diverse Global Initiatives
Change.org has hosted petitions addressing a vast array of issues across numerous countries. These campaigns range from local community concerns to international human rights movements, demonstrating the platform's versatility in facilitating citizen-led advocacy.
Landmark Petitions by Signature Count
The platform hosts petitions that have achieved extraordinary levels of public engagement, reflecting their resonance with societal concerns. The following table highlights some of the most significant campaigns based on signature volume.
The Engine of Change: Business Model
Revenue Streams
Change.org generates revenue primarily through a subscription membership model and by offering promotional services for petitions. Organizations and individuals can pay to increase the visibility of their campaigns to a wider audience on the platform.
Financial Structure and Investment
The company has raised significant capital, reportedly over $72 million from investors including LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman. While operating as a for-profit entity, its status as a public benefit corporation and its ownership by the Change.org Foundation underscore a commitment to its social mission, with all revenue reinvested into the platform's development and operations.
Donation Allocation
It is important to note that donations made through petitions on Change.org do not directly fund the petition organizers or their specific causes. Instead, these funds are utilized by Change.org to maintain and enhance its technology platform and support its operational costs, including campaigner coaching.
Critical Perspectives and Concerns
Transparency and Data Usage
Change.org has faced scrutiny regarding the visibility of personal information associated with petition signatures. While a signature-hiding feature exists for account holders, concerns persist about data privacy and the potential for misuse or sale of user data, despite the company's stated policy against selling personal information.
Allegations of Inauthentic Signatures
There have been claims that some petitions on the platform may contain fabricated or bot-generated signatures. While Change.org denies unusual activity, the sheer volume of signatures on some campaigns raises questions about the verification processes and the authenticity of user engagement.
.org vs. .com and Profit Motive
The use of the ".org" domain suffix, traditionally associated with non-profit organizations, has drawn criticism given Change.org's for-profit structure. Critics argue this branding may mislead users into believing the platform is purely non-commercial, potentially obscuring its economic incentives related to user data and petition promotion.
Advertising and Content Policies
The platform's advertising policies have been a point of contention, particularly after a shift that allowed paid content from entities not strictly identified as "hate groups." This led to accusations of promoting astroturfing and alienating its progressive user base. Furthermore, the platform has been criticized for allegedly prioritizing petitions on trending or media-related topics over those focused on more critical humanitarian issues.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio
Click here to open the "Change.org" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Academic Disclaimer
Important Considerations
This document has been generated by an AI for educational purposes, drawing information from publicly available sources. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the provided source material, it is not a substitute for professional analysis or direct consultation of primary sources.
This content is not an endorsement or critique of Change.org's operations. The information presented is intended to provide an objective overview suitable for academic study. Users are encouraged to conduct their own research and critical evaluation of the platform and its role in civic discourse.
The creators of this content are not responsible for any interpretations or actions taken based on the information provided herein.