Algorithm
Nowadays it’s crucial to understand the importance of differentiating between facts and opinions, as these two often get combined or mixed by outer sources. Influencing people’s minds by newspapers, radio, TV and now the Internet has been openly happening for a long time but only now we are facing it with such a huge impact. Social media are surrounding us wherever we go, whatever we do and are programmed to understand our needs better so they can show us the content we are interested in the most and therefore capture our full attention.
What is an algorithm?
An algorithm is a list of rules to follow in order to complete a task or solve a problem. There are many types of algorithms that are used in everyday life, for example:
Following a recipe:
Recipes are designed to help individuals be able to create a specific food by following a set of detailed instructions—just as an algorithm in computer science details steps to create replicable outcomes.
Brushing the teeth:
Crossing the road:
Making lemon juice:
What is an algorithm in social media?
Social algorithms exist to funnel certain kinds of content to specific audiences, encouraging people to spend more time on the platforms. They dictate the kinds of content a user can “discover” outside their own community. In the case of social media, the issue at hand is how to connect users with engaging and relevant content. The algorithms social platforms develop and use differ from network to network, and they’re continuously being refined to create a more successful experience.
How Do Social Media Algorithms Work?
All social algorithms use signals to indicate how much a user enjoys specific content. For example, if you comment, share, or like a piece of content, the algorithm will understand you enjoyed it and try to provide similar content.
On the other hand, if you stop watching a video a few seconds in or you hide a post (or, heaven forbid, block one), the algorithm will interpret these as negative signals and begin showing you less of this content.
Some platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, allow users to see why they’re seeing a certain piece of content. For example, it might say you’re seeing a post because you follow the poster, have liked their posts in the past, and engage with the account.
Regardless, each platform has its distinct focus, target audience, and post requirements. Plus, viewers have certain expectations for each platform. So each network alters their algorithms in slightly different ways to meet these expectations.
Exercise:
Each one of you has an account on some social media platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc. If all of you opened now, for example, Instagram app, you’d quickly realize that each one of you has completely different content on their dashboard. It seems only natural, especially after understanding what an algorithm is and how it works.
However, let’s consider what kind of mindset is created for every individual in such an environment.
Social media makes you see only those things you want to see, meanwhile completely erasing everything else and therefore giving you a sense of living in a bubble where everyone agrees with your views, likes the same food as you, enjoys the same movies as you—and utopian, cybernetic world which doesn’t really exist in the real world.
Whether we like it or not, there are always people who have different views, eat food you consider disgusting or give 5-stars in reviews of the movies you fell asleep on. Pretending they’re not here makes people more strict toward their opinions as the only rightful ones and lessens the tolerance to listen, speak or understand each other despite our differences.
- Let’s say your favorite car color is red. If you were wearing glasses which erased cars in every other color from your view, would it mean that they don’t exist?
- If somehow there was a black car in the parking lot, wouldn’t it stick out like a sore thumb?
Recommended to-watch: “Social Dilemma” (2020) – Netflix documentary:
“The platforms make it possible to spread manipulative narratives with phenomenal ease, and without very much money.”
“Before you share, fact-check. Consider the source. Do that extra Google. If it seems like it’s designed to push your emotional buttons, it probably is.”