Found an article purporting to prove that it does, but not sure if I believe:

https://decryptmedia.com/2018/11/28/infographic-how-crypto-news-generates-fake-ripple-hype/

Have always thought this, though—Ripple, according to the shittest of the shittest crypto sites, is literally ALWAYS "poised to rally" or whatever, and it never does. Yeah, it's the best performing crypto, but the hype that swirls around it (and other currencies) is, like, 90% fabricated.