Linkrel has plenty of info for how shills operate on 4chan and other websites.
https://cryptome.org/2012/07/gent-forum-spies.htmMore info on astroturfing bots is as follows:
First bot posts thread. (1pbtid)
Keyword in thread activates the other bots. (1pbtid)
More advanced bots engage in aggressive attacks on posters, providing little of substance and only using ad hominem, deflection, straw man, etc.
Human shills then engage in other posters that are using info to properly defend a position/defeat a position.
https://cryptome.org/2012/07/gent-forum-spies.htmThe major tactics are in the link and are as follows:
1) forum sliding, cluttering up the board with shitty threads.
2) consensus cracking
3) topic dilution, similar to sliding, used in conjunction with it
4) info collection, jobs, purchasing preference, gun collection, etc.
5) anger trolling, shitwood is a perfect example of this
6) gaining full control, mods and jannies are comped
The above link is a ten minute read for the first six topics and are a great introduction to psyops on board culture.
This is also a good refresher for oldfags, frens, and NEETs of all stripes.
More advanced info here
https://archive.is/ccH91 
