What is the main assumption behind an appeal to popularity?

The assumption behind an appeal to popularity is that if many people believe something to be true, then it must be true. This logical fallacy suggests that the popularity of a belief or idea is an indicator of its validity, relying heavily on social acceptance rather than factual evidence or rigorous reasoning. This notion plays on the idea that collective belief can sometimes overshadow objective truth, leading individuals to accept claims simply because they are widely accepted, rather than critically assessing the evidence supporting those claims. This reasoning is often used in advertising, politics, and social discourse, where the number of supporters can lend a false sense of credibility to a statement or idea.