In "Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator," Ryan Holiday explores how the internet's economic landscape allows for the manipulation of public perception. He discusses the strategic use of online platforms to influence opinions and shape narratives, often for profit. This manipulation is facilitated by the instantaneous nature of digital media and the susceptibility of audiences to persuasive tactics.

Holiday argues that the incentives within the internet economy empower individuals and organizations to engage in misleading practices. By exploiting these economic factors, marketers can effectively sell products and ideas, often at the expense of truth and authenticity. The book illustrates how this cycle of manipulation can distort public understanding and impact societal values.