In this paper we analyze influence maximization in the voter model with an
active strategic and a passive influencing party in non-stationary settings. We
thus explore the dependence of optimal influence allocation on the time
horizons of the strategic influencer. We find that on undirected heterogeneous
networks, for short time horizons, influence is maximized when targeting
low-degree nodes, while for long time horizons influence maximization is
achieved when controlling hub nodes. Furthermore, we show that for short and
intermediate time scales influence maximization can exploit knowledge of
(transient) opinion configurations. More in detail, we find two rules. First,
nodes with states differing from the strategic influencer's goal should be
targeted. Second, if only few nodes are initially aligned with the strategic
influencer, nodes subject to opposing influence should be avoided, but when
many nodes are aligned, an optimal influencer should shadow opposing influence.Comment: 22 page