So... Algorithm does not exclusively mean something that determines what you see in social media

An algorithm is just a series of steps to perform a task. Usually the term is used to mean a task that is performed more than once or repeatedly. It's usually used in a programming or computer science context.

So when people say "algorithm" to only mean an algorithm that decides what to show the user on social media, they are using the word wrong.

I'm only bringing this up because I have seen this mistake more than once and it's starting to drive me nuts haha

End rant

Top | Newest First | Oldest First

SW-User

But isn't it the algorithm, the series of steps repeated (aka, posts opened on here) that determine whose posts we see?
When I came here, I would barely see any posts, until I started opening peoples profiles and their posts randomly and started seeing more.

And if that word is wrongly used, what would be the right one?

DDonde · 31-35, M

@SW-User It's not that that isn't an algorithm. There are also many other algorithms being used in this site to keep it running. The problem is that people are using the word "Algorithm" more and more online to refer only to a very specific kind of algorithm which determines what to display to the user on their feed (and this is the wrong way to use the word). I've seen on other sites people calling to "get rid of algorithms on sites", which really doesn't make any sense to say.

DunningKruger · 61-69, M

Give it up, man. I held out for 20 years against how "font" is used by civilians, and I just had to surrender in the end.

UsernameAlreadyInUse · 26-30, M

It is our personal data they steal that show us ads suggestion right? I know it when penis enlargement ads keep pop up wherever i go.

AlyAngel · F

[image/video - please log in to see this content]

Add a comment...