Digital Influence & Social Media

How Algorithms Control What We See (and What We Don’t)

By Logan Reed 3 min read

# algorithms
# digital control
# technology

Imagine this: you’re scrolling through your favorite social media platform, happily liking photos of fluffy kittens and the latest culinary creations. Suddenly, you’re bombarded with ads for cat food and cooking classes. You ask yourself, how did they know? Is someone watching me? Well, in a sense, yes. It’s all thanks to algorithms, the silent puppeteers behind the curtain of our digital lives.

In this article, we’ll uncover the mysterious workings of algorithms, discover their influence on what we see (and don’t see), and learn how you can take back some control over your digital experience.

What Exactly Are Algorithms?

Let’s start with the basics. In the simplest terms, algorithms are step-by-step sets of instructions for solving a problem or completing a task. In the digital world, these are often used to process data and decide which content to display to us on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Google search results.

Think of algorithms like a picky friend who knows what you like and only shares things that might interest you. They’re there to make life easier, but sometimes they can be a little too selective.

How Do Algorithms Decide What We See?

Algorithms closely monitor your interactions. Ever notice how after looking at a shoe online, you’re followed by shoe ads for days? That’s algorithmic magic for you. Here’s a basic breakdown of how algorithms decide what to show you:

Engagement History: What you’ve liked, commented on, or shared.
Content Type: Videos, photos, articles, or gifs.
Time of Day: When you are most active online.
Connections: Similar content or accounts followed by people you’re connected with.
Search History: What you look up, even if it’s out of curiosity.

A Real-Life Example: Facebook’s News Feed

Facebook’s News Feed algorithm, known as EdgeRank, considers aspects like affinity (how close you are to the person or page), weight (type of post), and time decay (how fresh the post is). This helps determine what posts appear higher in your feed.

“Algorithms are opinions embedded in code.” — Cathy O’Neil, Author and Data Scientist

What’s the Downside?

While personalized algorithms can tailor content to our interests, they also create what’s known as a “filter bubble.” This means you’re only exposed to information that aligns with your existing beliefs, potentially limiting your perspective.

Plus, excessive personalization can invade your privacy and generate ads or content that feels creepy or intrusive.

Can We Use Algorithms to Our Advantage?

Absolutely! You can keep the algorithms working in your favor by:

Being Mindful: Actively engage with a variety of content to broaden what you’re shown. Click on opposing views or new topics.
Adjusting Settings: Most platforms allow you to control ad preferences and notification settings; tweak these to reduce ad bombardment.
Utilizing Privacy Tools: Use browser extensions or settings that limit tracking.
Regularly Clearing Cookies: This reduces the footprint of your browsing history, affecting how much algorithms know about you.

Are We Doomed to Algorithmic Control?

It’s not all doom and gloom! Algorithms are here to stay, but so is your power to make conscious digital choices. By being aware of how they work and mindfully interacting with content, you can shape a more balanced digital experience and avoid the pitfalls of algorithmic overreach.

Ready to Take Control?

Next time you dive into your digital realm, remember these tips. They might just change the way you see (or choose not to see) what’s out there. It’s time to step out of the algorithmic shadow and explore new horizons. After all, a fresh perspective is just a click away!

To keep expanding your understanding, why not challenge yourself to intentionally search for topics or viewpoints you wouldn’t normally explore? Who knows what you might discover!