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Algorithm’s going to get you: The mysterious rules of social media lead to a strange place

Published time: 1 Oct, 2018 15:46 - Edited time: 1 Oct, 2018 15:57

© Marcos Brindicci / Reuters

The Algorithm is mysterious a phrase you hear a lot in the online world. I admit I don’t really understand what it is, or what it does, all I know is that I’ve heard brighter people than me use the term, so I started using it too.

I make my living online, where ‘The Algorithm’ is the essential tool that no one really knows how to use. In essence it’s the ever changing set of rules the big online companies like Google programme into their systems to decide who sees what in their search results and timelines. If ‘The Algorithm’ is with you, your cat video will be seen by 5 million people on social media and if all goes well someone will send you a check in the post. If ‘The Algorithm’ is against you, you could make a video outlining a proven cure for cancer, and still no one would see it pop up Facebook. .........................

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Simon Rite is a writer based in London for RT, in charge of several projects including the political satire group #ICYMI. Follow him on Twitter  @SiWrites