Conversational Structures in the Comment Sections of Instagram New Portals

Soraya; Nurul Muhadlarah; Bejo Sutrisno

doi:10.30998/scope.v11i2.2815

Authors

Soraya Author
Nurul Muhadlarah University Al Azhar of Indonesia Author
Bejo Sutrisno Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30998/scope.v11i2.2815

Keywords:

Adjacency Pairs, Affective Publics, Conversation Analysis, Digital Discourse, Sequence Expansion

Abstract

This study explores how digital conversations take shape when social media users react to government policies. The goal is to understand whether these interactions generate meaningful discussions or simply short-lived emotional outbursts. Focusing on the LambeTurah Instagram comment section, the study analyzed 1,282 comments from August 2025 triggered by policy statements from seven Indonesian officials. Using qualitative netnography and Conversation Analysis approaches, the study examined how users take turns speaking in the digital space. The results show that Instagram's design disrupts the natural flow of replies, making it different from face-to-face conversations. Key findings revealed that 90.6% of interactions consisted of short, minor sentences in a statement-response pattern regarding policies. This occurs because many users simply comment to express agreement, vent their feelings, or use sarcasm, leading to deadlocked interactions. While complex dialogues emerge when sharing practical information, some controversial comments cannot be classified because they disappear after sparking an uproar. Ultimately, political conversations on Instagram are more about the expression of shared identity and emotions than in-depth debate, which impacts how we understand public opinion today.

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