Change.org actually does something, claim mostly false
“Change.org does fucking nothing”
Summary
Change.org hosts hundreds of millions of users and has facilitated numerous petitions that have led to concrete changes and victories, as documented by major news outlets and the platform’s own impact reports. While not every petition succeeds and some are symbolic, the evidence shows the site does achieve measurable social impact, contradicting the claim that it does nothing.
Sources 60 searched
- 10 petitions that made the biggest impact this decade | CNN
But some petitions are more successful than others. ... The petition-hosting site Change.org considers a number of factors in determining which had the biggest impact: the number of people who signed, the zeitgeist and the conversations sparked and whether anything changed as a result, said Michael Jones, the platform’s managing director of campaigns.
- change.org - Wikipedia
Change.org is a website which allows users to create and sign petitions in an attempt to advance various social causes by raising awareness and influencing decision-makers. The site is a US-based for-profit company and claims to have 583 million users as of May 2026.
- From Petitions to Decisions (SSIR)
As the number of “sellers” ... circle that led to rapid growth. As the platform grew, so did its ability to achieve social impact....
- What is Change.org - Change.org
Change.org operates as a technology platform dedicated to positive social impact, making it the world's largest nonprofit-owned tech platform for social change. Petitions on Change.org are created, written, and managed by individual users or groups of users, not by Change.org itself.
- Success Factors of Online Petitions: Evidence from Change.org | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore
Online petitions have emerged to become a powerful tool for the public to make positive impact on the society. This paper investigates what factors in the text content of online petitions influence their chance of success. Specifically, we examine moral, emotional, and cognitive elements in ...
- Nearly every hour, a petition on Change.org achieves victory
People on Change.org work with decision makers to find new solutions to the big and small issues that impact their lives. ... Our most committed users contribute a small amount monthly to keep Change.org free and open for everyone. ... These petitions need your help to achieve victory.
- Community Guidelines · Change.org
6. Risk for Public Security — We encourage the sharing of content that contributes to informed and constructive discussions about public security and public safety However, users must strive for accuracy, relying on reputable sources and avoiding the spread of unfounded or debunked claims. A. Risk for Environmental Damage – Content that promotes, supports, or provides instructions for engaging in activities that could lead to significant harm to the environment may be restricted, or removed in severe cases. B. Terrorist Content – Material that supports, promotes, or glorifies terrorist organizations, acts of terrorism, or recruitment for terrorist activities is strictly prohibited.
- Change.org, PBC | BBB Complaints | Better Business Bureau
I signed a petition in November with Change.org and because I felt strongly about it, I donated thinking it would go towards defraying their cost. There was nothing mentioned about a recurring payment AT ALL. Change.org then started a recurring debit if $25 the next two months that I never wanted to do or intended.
- Does Change.org work? Unpacking the Effectiveness of Online Petitions
Competition for attention: With so many symbolic petitions online, it’s hard to stand out or gain enough momentum to make an impact. This is especially true with Change.org because many understand that they are symbolic and not likely have any impact. ... The effectiveness of Change.org varies.
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