Sentiment Analysis of Facebook Users toward the United States Using Artificial Intelligence Techniques: A Study on Comments from the Youm7 Facebook Page

The study aimed to monitor, analyze, classify, and interpret the general sentiments expressed in users’ comments on the Facebook page of Youm7 towards the United States of America. It also sought to identify and interpret the dominant thematic topics in these comments and examine the relationship between these topics and the nature of the public sentiments toward the U.S. during the period from January 1 to January 30, 2025.
The study employed two big data analysis tools powered by artificial intelligence techniques: a sentiment analysis tool using Natural Language Processing (NLP) via the Python programming language, and a topic modeling tool using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), which is an unsupervised machine learning method used in data analysis.
The study found the following key results:
Negative sentiments toward the United States overwhelmingly dominated user comments on the Youm7 Facebook page, accounting for 94.3% of the total, compared to only 1.2% positive sentiments. The analysis also revealed that the Palestinian cause plays a major role in shaping these negative attitudes toward the U.S., with strong expressions of hostility particularly regarding its foreign policies and support for Israel.
In terms of sentiment classification, anger was the most prevalent emotion. It was not merely a passing reaction, but rather a clear expression of rejection of American policies, both domestic and foreign. Sarcastic and mocking tones were common, often more derisive than critical. Schadenfreude (pleasure at others' misfortune) was evident in reactions to natural disasters, while fear and anxiety also appeared in comments on such events. Among the few positive sentiments, empathy for innocent victims of hurricanes and wildfires came first, followed by admiration and appreciation.