Behind every swipe and second you spend on social media is a highly complex system trained to predict what will keep you watching, sharing and commenting just that little bit more.
These ever-sophisticated algorithms dictate more than your battery life and attention span. They have been shaping public discourse, politics and identity and influencing our relationship with the world and one another.
Arguably, they are one of the most powerful yet opaque forces, directing our social media feeds and affecting our lives.
But this era of black-box systems shaping what we see is shifting. In recent months, social media platforms and search engines have now signalled the start of a new age of information by allowing users to have more control over their feeds. This trend goes beyond minor tweaks, toggles or mutes, and it is set to grow this year.
Leading the change are new features being tested or slowly rolled out across Meta apps and on Google Search and Discover – tools that put more power in your hands.
Your Algorithm – a new way to see and control Instagram
In December, Instagram chief executive Adam Mosseri asked his followers: “Ever wish you could see your algorithm? Make some changes? Well, as of this week, you can do so on Instagram.”
He unveiled the new Your Algorithm feature, which uses artificial intelligence to show a user what topics their Reels feed is optimised to show. Users can edit or add to this list and have the option of sharing it publicly via Stories.
Mosseri said Instagram was testing this functionality on the Search tab, and that the aim was to bring it to the Home feed.
While the tool is currently only available in the United States, he said more availability is comin
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