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TikTok's algorithm is just pre 2017 YT and FB cranked up by 100X. For some reason the media hasn't gone after TikTok yet for pushing people into "echo chambers"

TikTok's algorithm is just pre 2017 YT and FB cranked up by 100X. For some reason the media hasn't gone after TikTok yet for pushing people into "echo chambers" but they basically just feed the most engaging content with no breaks on the train. I read an article about the parent company and they have one of the most popular news app in India as well despite none of the engineers being able to read what content is being pushed to the top, they just let their machine learning push the most "engaging" content, which is basically stuff that is controversial, creates anger, etc.

buryat 5y ago
> they basically just feed the most engaging content with no breaks on the train. this is simply not true, i regularly get videos with less than 100 views, and a few videos i published got a few hundred views.
- sen 5y ago
  New stuff is scored well too at first, so the algorithm can "test" and see what kind of traction the post gets. If it hits a certain score for traction then it's boosted more, and if it doesn't then it's buried. It's pretty much purely about the popularity curve of each post. The more it drives engagement the more it's boosted. All hail the algorithm.
- ren_engineer 5y ago
  every video starts with 0 views, new videos all get pushed to small sample groups and the ones that get the most engagement in terms of watch time and other factors then get pushed to larger groups that's the point, the content that doesn't engage users doesn't get promoted. TikTok isn't going to push a boring video to millions of users
whoknowswhat11 5y ago
Despite this claim tiktok seems like it pushes some the least outrage machine type stuff. At least my feed is filled with interesting folks. HN is going down the road too now of the google is horrible, apple is horrible, facebook is horrible type headlines. I don't necessarily disagree - but... boring? Repetitive? There are never any positive suggestions any more (ie, here's how apple should screen for CASM). It's just pure outrage factory in some cases. Luckily for me at least HN still has some "boring" content with lots of what seem like smart interesting folks posting - keeps me coming back :)
- Graffur 5y ago
  > Interesting folks Mind posting some examples? I find it recommends lots of useless stuff. I know the rebuttal - it learns what you're interested in - but I can still tell you there are lots of vapid people and videos on it.
  - whoknowswhat11 5y ago
    That's what people enjoy I think. Much less serious outrage, serious preaching. Lots of cooking, dancing, music, laughing.

buryat 5y ago

> they basically just feed the most engaging content with no breaks on the train. this is simply not true, i regularly get videos with less than 100 views, and a few videos i published got a few hundred views.

sen 5y ago
New stuff is scored well too at first, so the algorithm can "test" and see what kind of traction the post gets. If it hits a certain score for traction then it's boosted more, and if it doesn't then it's buried. It's pretty much purely about the popularity curve of each post. The more it drives engagement the more it's boosted. All hail the algorithm.
ren_engineer 5y ago
every video starts with 0 views, new videos all get pushed to small sample groups and the ones that get the most engagement in terms of watch time and other factors then get pushed to larger groups that's the point, the content that doesn't engage users doesn't get promoted. TikTok isn't going to push a boring video to millions of users

whoknowswhat11 5y ago

Despite this claim tiktok seems like it pushes some the least outrage machine type stuff. At least my feed is filled with interesting folks. HN is going down the road too now of the google is horrible, apple is horrible, facebook is horrible type headlines. I don't necessarily disagree - but... boring? Repetitive? There are never any positive suggestions any more (ie, here's how apple should screen for CASM). It's just pure outrage factory in some cases. Luckily for me at least HN still has some "boring" content with lots of what seem like smart interesting folks posting - keeps me coming back :)

Graffur 5y ago
> Interesting folks Mind posting some examples? I find it recommends lots of useless stuff. I know the rebuttal - it learns what you're interested in - but I can still tell you there are lots of vapid people and videos on it.
- whoknowswhat11 5y ago
  That's what people enjoy I think. Much less serious outrage, serious preaching. Lots of cooking, dancing, music, laughing.