How algorithms shape what you see online
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Have you ever wondered why your social media feed always seems to know exactly what you like? Or why adverts for things you’ve just searched for start popping up everywhere? The answer lies in something called algorithms. These behind-the-scenes tech tools are responsible for much of what you see online – from the videos that go viral to the ads that feel a little too personal. In this article, we’ll explore what algorithms are, how they work in social media and marketing, and why they matter.
What is an algorithm?
At its simplest, an algorithm is a set of rules or instructions that a computer follows to complete a task or solve a problem. You can think of it like a recipe: just as a recipe guides you through the steps to bake a cake, an algorithm guides a computer through steps to make a decision or perform an action.
On the internet, algorithms are used to figure out what content you might find interesting or relevant. They take information – like what you’ve clicked on, how long ...
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