Manipulation implies getting someone to do something they would normally be opposed to in a way where they don't realize what you're doing.

I disagree on two counts.

1. Manipulation is better defined as getting someone to do something they would otherwise not do. No negative connotation is necessary.
2. I think you are correct even with the negative connotation. Many who were asleep were not disposed to think for themselves. They were highly motivated to not do so in fact, by their beliefs. Their beliefs were going to doom all humanity for all eternity and were in all ways based on lies. I have zero problem with that manipulation. As for not "realizing what they are doing," almost no one realized what was going on in the beginning. That was the whole point. Exposure, for those who had reasons to not allow themselves to be exposed to the truth, was exactly the point of Q.

What it has done is gotten a group of people to start doing their own research and paying attention to events around the world. And just as importantly, to share those with each other.

This makes zero sense following:

Q hasn't really gotten anyone to do anything at all.

In fact, I would say Q manipulated a huge group of people to do the most important thing that humanity has ever done in perhaps its entire history: wake the fuck up.

In fact, the best way to pull off the 'don't realize' part of the manipulation is to isolate people so they can't compare notes and realize they are being played.

Here you go again thinking manipulation has to be for nefarious goals. Why do you associate that word with evil? There is no definition of the word that requires it. Why do you?

Lets clear up this issue and look at the definition:

1. to manage or influence skillfully, especially in an unfair manner.
2. to handle, manage, or use, especially with skill, in some process of treatment or performance:
3. to adapt or change (accounts, figures, etc.) to suit one's purpose or advantage.
4. Medicine/Medical. to examine or treat by skillful use of the hands, as in palpation, reduction of dislocations, or changing the position of a fetus.

The only definition that even tries to make it negative is number 1. In that case it says "especially in an unfair manner". Especially says "more often than not, this has negative connotations when used in this manner" however, "especially" does not mean necessarily. In other words, you can use that word perfectly fine without the negative connotation and remain within the bounds of the definition.

Manipulation is bad because it subverts people's free wills.

You cannot subvert someone's free will, you can only convince them to not use it; they always retain it. Convincing is an act of both parties agreeing to something, even if one party refuses to allow themselves to recognize it consciously. Q absolutely convinced me to go against my nature, and I did not at first consciously recognize that I was being convinced of that. Q convinced me to think for myself; something I spent my whole life not doing, even though I really thought I was.

If that isn't manipulation, I don't know what is.