YouTube Trying To Make Its Algorithm Even More Addictive

Some of the most powerful machine-learning systems that we have today come in the form of recommendation algorithms, due to their ability to shape the information that we consume. One of the most influential recommendation algorithms of today is YouTube’s, a video sharing website estimated to be second only to its owner, Google, when it comes to web traffic. Seventy percent of the videos that users watch is fed to them through recommendations.

Listen beautiful relax classics on our Youtube channel.

In recent years, this influence has come under heavy scrutiny. Because the algorithm is optimized for getting people to engage with videos, it tends to offer choices that reinforce what someone already likes or believes, which can create an addictive experience that shuts out other views. This also often rewards the most extreme and controversial videos, which studies have shown can quickly push people into deep rabbit holes of content and lead to political radicalization.

YouTube has publicly stated that they are working to address these issues. However, a new paper seem to tell a different story, and this paper came from none other than Google itself.

It proposes an update to the platform’s algorithm that is meant to recommend even more targeted content to users in the interest of increasing engagement.

More of this over at Technology Review.

What are your thoughts on this one?

(Image Credit: USA-Reiseblogger/ Pixabay)

Source: neatorama

Rating YouTube Trying To Make Its Algorithm Even More Addictive is 5.0 / 5 Votes: 5
Please wait...
Loading...