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I'd like to see these alternate algorithms implemented. The API exists - and isn't that really the only way to ultimately judge if it's better or worse? Anothe

I'd like to see these alternate algorithms implemented. The API exists - and isn't that really the only way to ultimately judge if it's better or worse? Another random idea: have the parameters affecting rankings be visible and adjustable with interactive sliders- so you could customize the various weights to try to attain the ideal mix of stories for you. Or does that defeat the purpose. Is the joy of HN in knowing that when a story reaches the front page, you know it's on everyone's front page...

jwarden 4y ago
One thing that prevents us from actually implementing the algorithm is that there is some "secret sauce" to HN rankings that is not publicly available. There are flags, vote ring detectors, domain penalties, the second chance queue, and other means by which HN moderators change the rank of stories. And these make a *huge* difference. Our initial implementation of an alternative ranking algorithm was not an improvement over the existing HN home page for this reason.
- zamalek 4y ago
  > secret sauce This is a feature FWIW. It prevents blatant gaming of rankings.
jnakayama 4y ago
We played around with customization options like that (URL parameters etc.), but ultimately decided against it. The reasoning behind it was that a lack of personalization might be a feature not a bug for a news aggregator like HN. One issue that arises with personalization is that it is detrimental to a sense of shared experience and we thought that the global frontpage might be a distinct reason for the sense of community on HN. This issue was also discussed previously on HN: - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31375092 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31375092