Blogging Heros
If the last time you heard the word “algorithm” was in your tenth-grade math class, it’s time to step into the twenty-first century!
Algorithms are running our world. These mathematical formulas are responsible for making all of the split-second decisions that control what you see, what you buy, and even what you do!
Today, so much of social media marketing has to do with understanding and gaming algorithms to work in our favor. Acknowledging the formulas behind your favorite social media platforms gives you power and control.
So, what is an algorithm?
In essence, an algorithm is a mathematical formula. From the YouTube algorithm that decides what you see on the homepage, to the Amazon algorithm that recommends products, math is running the world! Keep reading to learn more about the sorting algorithms that seem to be reading your mind!
What Is an Algorithm?
You can define an algorithm as “a set of instructions that influence decision-making.” Yes, it’s that simple. One of the simplest iterations of an algorithm is a cooking recipe.
After all, recipes are sets of instructions. Sometimes they include extra details like, “IF your cake is too dry, THEN add a tablespoon of oil.” These help you make specific, unemotional decisions under certain conditions.
Mathematical algorithms in programming do the same thing. They provide specific instructions about what to do with the information in their databases.
Algorithms in Social Media
Let’s take the Instagram algorithm as an example. You might have noticed that no two newsfeeds look quite the same. Even if two users followed the same accounts, they would see their content in a slightly different order.
Why? It has a lot to do with data and browsing behavior. Sometimes it bases decisions on what you’ve been looking at recently, and other times it has more to do with the post itself.
Does the post seem timely? Does it have a lot of likes? Is the creator of the post a mutual of other accounts you follow, suggesting that they might create content you’d find interesting?
The algorithms might use your browsing history to make educated guesses about who you are as a person. They might guess your age, your political affiliations, and even your profession. Often, they use your location data to make the content you see even more specific.
Human beings (and the corporations they represent) program these algorithms, with their own agendas in mind. Usually, the agenda is to maximize the amount of time that you spend on an app. That’s why Instagram is so good at sending you reel after reel until you fall down a black hole and can’t get out.
They’re so good at “guessing” your interests because they’re not guessing at all. They’ve turned your behavior into data.
Why Are Algorithms Used Today?
Computers have come a long way since they were first conceived. They can run larger programs and work faster than anyone could have imagined even a decade ago. Because they are fast, we rely on programming to make split-second decisions – like what to put on the homepage when you log into Amazon.
The amazon a10 algorithm is a set of guidelines that determines exactly what you see when you search. Even the smartest person in the world couldn’t make those rapid decisions for the millions of people who log onto the website every day. Even if they could, humans are messy creatures full of emotions and biases that impact their choices.
Algorithms take the bias and emotion out of those decisions. A mathematical formula doesn’t care if a kinder person made one of the products. It relies on formulas to make decisions, with no thinking or guesswork involved.
This allows for a high level of customization and, usually, a better user experience. It also means that some products will rise to the top while others languish near the bottom.
How Do You “Game” an Algorithm?
A lot of marketing services today claim they can teach you how to get your content or products seen. They do this by researching ways to trigger algorithms to show your content first. Programmers call these “sorting algorithms.”
This might mean using specific hashtags or keywords or even just determining the best time of day to post. It also might dictate the kind of content that you create.
One of the metrics that many algorithms use involves how many people interact with a piece of content. If you can gain a lot of “clicks” or “views” very quickly, it will assume your content is compelling. It’s more likely to get priority.
Thus, you might have noticed techniques like the use of “clickbait” titles. These titles play with your emotions by appealing to your curiosity. You are far more likely to click on a video titled “You won’t BELIEVE what this girl did!” then a video titled “Seventh Grade Magic Show Performance.”
Sometimes, however, it’s simple. If you tend to look at a lot of pictures of cats, you’ll get more pictures of cats. The same goes for recipes, workout tips, technology reviews, product recommendations, and more.
Math Makes the World Go ‘Round
So, what is an algorithm? It’s the decision-making engine behind all of the world’s technology. Algorithms are teaching us that there is a lot more order to the world than you can see at first glance, which is both comforting and terrifying! If an algorithm brought you to this post, there’s probably a good reason! Check out some of the other great posts and teach that computer of yours more about what you’re interested in seeing! We promise you’ll find something you like!
