ISIS has skillfully used social media and video platforms like YouTube to promote extremist ideas and recruit new members. They produce high quality, Hollywood-style videos with excellent production values that feature gimmicks designed to attract viewers. These professional-level videos demonstrate ISIS's understanding of appealing to Western audiences and effective video marketing. While fictional, ISIS videos have a high degree of realism that influences viewers on a personal level and challenges their views in a dangerous way. Their extensive online presence has helped ISIS gain control of large areas in Iraq and Syria with relative ease.