While Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the Crown Prince and de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, does not maintain a publicly active personal presence on Twitter, the platform remains a critical battleground for Saudi state influence and public diplomacy. His personal "Current influence score" on Twitter is 0/100 according to GeoGazet tracking, indicating a deliberate absence from direct engagement, yet the broader Saudi state apparatus leverages Twitter extensively for both domestic messaging and international outreach.
Saudi Arabia, under MBS's leadership, is undergoing a transformative period marked by ambitious economic reforms (Vision 2030) and a more assertive foreign policy. This shift necessitates sophisticated communication strategies, often conducted through official channels, state-aligned media, and proxies on social media platforms. The GeoGazet tracking system highlights the kingdom's primary areas of focus and engagement, with "Saudi Arabia" generating the highest signal volume at 65 tracked signals, followed by "Oil & Energy" with 44 tracked signals, and the "UAE" with 26 tracked signals. These connections underscore the interwoven nature of Saudi domestic affairs, its oil-centric economy, and its crucial regional alliances.
The kingdom's digital strategy serves to project an image of modernization and stability, counter negative narratives, and mobilize public support for government initiatives. This approach is consistent with historical patterns of state information control, adapting traditional media tactics to the digital age. Unlike some global leaders who directly engage on social media, MBS’s strategy appears to involve a centralized control of messaging disseminated through official channels, rather than direct personal interaction.