YouTube's mysterious algorithm
YouTube has one main goal: to get you to spend as much time on the site as possible, so it can sell as many ads as possible. Just like other social media platforms like Facebook. This probably won't surprise you. The algorithm is simply trained to keep you glued to the screen. And it's good at it: about 70% of the time you watch videos recommended by the YouTube algorithm.
Google doesn't reveal how its algorithm works. But research shows that the algorithm telegram data determines what videos you're interested in based on your viewing behavior (what you watch and what you like (or don't like), your location, and likely dozens of other unknown variables.
A but also for information, news, and how-tos, according to this study . When you watch a video, you're then recommended more videos related to that topic. This can lead you down a so-called rabbit hole , delving ever deeper into your area of interest. And this rabbit hole can contain increasingly extreme content. This video (also available on YouTube by De Volkskrant and De Correspondent succinctly explains how this works.
Generally speaking, videos that are sensational and highly emotional attract a lot of viewers and engagement. And according to the algorithm, that earns bonus points. These types of videos can be found in certain areas, such as anti-vaxxers , right-wing extremism , and conspiracy theories . The deeper you go down the rabbit hole, the more extreme the videos can become. Thanks to the algorithm.
Videos seem to be equal to each other
It's also a problem that the videos and channels offered to you are presented in an equal manner. Objectively presented news by well-known media outlets can be shown alongside videos from a conspiracy theorist or a far-right channel.
So it often happens, as Buzzfeed demonstrates , that if you first watch an informative video about vaccinations, the algorithm then presents you with the emotional story of a mother discovering "vaccination horrors." The algorithm doesn't consider the underlying need of your search query, but instead selects the videos that are likely to keep you on YouTube longer.