50. The Addiction Algorithm
In the previous article, we saw the differences between the algorithms for Facebook and LinkedIN. LinkedIN uses a bot to evaluate the content and then uses a small group of users to test the engagement potential of the post before having real people from LinkedIN decide whether to push the post to the greater population. LinkedIN’s algorithm works like a conscious brain.
Facebook assesses various characteristics of every post in order to determine which users, whom they have assessed according to various characteristics, would be most comfortable with the post. Facebook’s algorithm works like your unconscious brain.
Facebook prioritizes posts that satisfy your unconscious brain’s desire in order to get the behavior they want: looking at as many ads as possible. This is the same process that results in addiction!
We ended the article with:
If you consciously believe you don’t like the content, not only will you be unsettled, you stating that you don’t like the content you are seeing creates a GREATER disconnect within yourself. This disconnect will almost certainly lead to anger and frustration.
What would a platform look like when a large number of the users are angry, frustrated, and addicted?
What does Facebook look like now?
How would you modify the Facebook algorithm to increase addiction for everyone?
Which of the following content is most addictive?
-Written
-Links
-Pictures
-Videos
Written content is the OPPOSITE of addiction. Likewise, links away from the platform slows down the rate of building an addiction.
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A more addictive version of Facebook would be made up of pictures and videos, with written content hidden and links completely discouraged.
THAT platform would be Instant Addiction…or as we know it, Instagram!
Who owns Instagram and Facebook?
Let’s not give up on our quest to really drive addiction. Is there a way to take it up a notch?
Short videos, because long videos are the same as written content!
Instagram has Reels which limits videos to 60 seconds.
Imagine if you limited the videos to 15 seconds! THAT would be a super addictive platform!
Ultimately, Facebook’s approach of bringing content that keeps the user comfortable will result in reinforcing the perspective of the individual. It may even entrench the perspective to the point the user believes it is Truth.
This would weaken the Link to other users who have the opposite view, because they are also having their perspective strengthened.
Wouldn’t this approach create divisions that didn’t originally exist?
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