Why is an algorithm so important to social media companies?

[A THREAD]

I’m going to use Facebook as an example.

When you first load up FB, your feed will try to recommend a post it thinks you will like based on your previous engagements.

After it sends you a post it thinks you will like it will then show you a few that it considers “mediocre.”

Then it tries to suck you back in by showing you something it thinks you’ll like again.

This way it keeps you engaged enough to keep on scrolling..

For each and every action you make, the algorithm acquires that data.

This data is invaluable. Why? Because now FB knows what people like you are interested in.

What do you mean by “people like you?”

Your age group
Your interests
Your hobbies
Your location
Your job history
Your political affiliations

Even the device you use.

Use an iPhone and get iPhone related ads sometimes?

I wonder why...

This collected data is then used to serve you ads based on what it KNOWS you’re already interested in.

In the end it is about one thing and one thing only.

MONEY.

NOW REREAD THAT AND REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER SOCIAL MEDIA.

Then start paying attention. You’ll see the pattern.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.