Social Media Safety / Glossary

Algorithm (social media)

A social media algorithm is the set of rules an app uses to decide which posts and videos to show you, and in what order.

Algorithms watch what you do: what you like, comment on, share and especially how long you keep watching. They then show you more of what kept you on the app.

That can be useful, but it also means one video can quickly fill your feed with similar content, including things that make you feel bad.

You can steer your feed: tap "not interested", follow a mix of accounts, search for new topics and notice how you feel after scrolling.