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Extra Information: Understanding Algorithms in Social Media Newsfeeds

What is an Algorithm?

An algorithm is a set of rules that social media platforms use to decide what posts, news, and ads you see. These rules are based on what you have liked, shared, or clicked on in the past. The algorithm learns what interests you and shows you more of that content.

Example: If you like or share a lot of posts about cute animals, the algorithm will show you more animal videos and fewer posts on other topics like news or politics.

What is Click-Bait?

Click-bait is a type of news or post that tries to get your attention quickly. It often uses exciting or shocking headlines to make you click on the link. However, the content inside may not always be as interesting or true as the headline suggests.

Example: A headline might say, “You won’t believe what this celebrity did!” to make you click, but the story might not be that surprising or important.

What is Fake News?

Fake news refers to articles or posts that are not true. They are made to trick people into believing something that didn’t happen or is misleading. Fake news can spread quickly online, especially when people share it without checking if it’s true.

Example: A fake news article might claim a politician did something bad, but there’s no proof, and the story is made up.

What is Confirmation Bias?

Confirmation bias happens when you see news or posts that match what you already believe. Social media algorithms show you more of the same type of content that you’ve engaged with before. This can make it hard to see other points of view.

Example: If you only click on news that supports your opinion, you will mostly see posts that agree with you, and it becomes harder to see different opinions.

Personalization of Newsfeeds

Social media platforms show you different content based on your past actions, like what you’ve clicked on, liked, or shared. This is called personalization. It helps you see more of what you like but can also limit what you see.

Example: If you often watch videos about fashion, your newsfeed will show you more fashion-related posts and fewer posts about other topics, like world news or science.

What Type of Websites Change What You See Based on Your Past Behavior?

Many websites personalize the content you see based on your past actions, like clicks, likes, or searches.

• News websites (like CBC or CNN) show you more articles similar to those you’ve read.

• Search engines (like Google) adjust results based on previous searches. For example, if you often search for recipes, you’ll see more food-related content in your results.

• Video platforms (like YouTube and Netflix) recommend content based on your watch history.

• Social media (like Facebook and Instagram) personalizes your feed based on interactions. For example, if you frequently like travel posts, you’ll see more travel-related content.

• Shopping sites (like Amazon) suggest products based on your browsing and purchase history.

• Music and podcast platforms recommend songs or shows based on your listening habits.

How do Emotions and Algorithms Shape What We See on Social Media?

Emotions play a big role in how people interact with content on social media. Posts that make people feel strong emotions, like fear and outrage, are more likely to get shared, commented on, and liked. Studies show that content causing high-energy emotions, such as anger or surprise, spreads faster than content that makes people feel calm or sad. This is why shocking or controversial posts often get more attention than neutral or balanced ones. Social media algorithms notice this and show more content that gets a lot of reactions, so the more people interact with emotional posts, the more similar content they see. This creates a cycle where users are shown more posts that stir up strong feelings, keeping them active on the website or app. 

The Danger of Seeing Only One Type of Content

When you only see one type of content, like celebrity news or cute animal videos, you might miss out on important news or world events. It’s good to see a mix of different kinds of content to stay informed.

Example: If your feed is full of animal videos, you might not see news about important things happening in the world.

How to See More Balanced Content

To see a variety of content, you can:

• Click on different types of posts, not just ones you usually like.

• Look for news from sources outside of social media, like news websites or apps.

• Follow people or pages that talk about a range of topics, such as news, science, and world events.

The Impact of Algorithms

Algorithms can affect how you think by showing you the same type of content over and over. This can change your opinions or make you believe that certain things are more important than they really are. It’s important to understand how algorithms work so you can make informed choices about what to read or believe.

How Algorithms Can Cause Larger Social Problems

Polarization happens when people’s opinions and beliefs become more extreme and divided. Social media algorithms can contribute to this problem by showing people content that strengthens their existing beliefs, instead of exposing them to different viewpoints. This can make it harder for people to understand or talk to others with different opinions.

Why does social media use algorithms to personalize what you see?

Social media platforms use algorithms to show you the things you’re most interested in. The goal is to keep you engaged by showing you posts, videos, and ads that match your past behavior, like what you’ve clicked on, liked, or shared. This is called personalization.

Why do they do this?

Personalization helps social media platforms:

• Keep you on their site longer: By showing you things you like, they make sure you stay interested and spend more time on their platform.

• Show you relevant ads: Advertisers pay social media platforms to show ads to people who are likely to be interested. Algorithms help match you with ads that fit your preferences.

• Make it easier for you to find content: Instead of showing random posts, algorithms help sort through millions of posts to find the ones you’ll likely enjoy or care about.