TikTok Unveils Major Algorithm Change So You Can Avoid Harmful Rabbit Holes
Image via Funstock / Shutterstock.com
Anyone with a TikTok account will testify to how addictive the app can be. With nonstop content catered specifically to you through the ‘For You’ page (FYP), it sometimes can send you down rabbit holes you didn’t wish to uncover.
In its latest update, the company said it will be making a major change to its algorithm, allowing for more diverse content to appear on an individual’s feed, so users avoid seeing repetitive themes over and over again or fixating on unhealthy topics.
According to The Independent, while TikTok has been lauded for how quickly and accurately its algorithm identifies videos suited to a user’s interests, the flipside is that individuals have little say over what shows up on their feed. This could easily lead to them being exposed to a slew of unhealthy videos which could turn into harmful rabbit holes.
“At TikTok, we recognize that too much of anything, whether it’s animals, fitness tips, or personal well-being journeys, doesn’t fit with the diverse discovery experience we aim to create,” explained the app.
Currently, the algorithm already refrains from showing two videos by the same creator or with the same sound in a row to offer some respite from a particular topic or trend.
However, it admitted that it has to do more to “avoid recommending a series of similar content—such as around extreme dieting or fitness, sadness, or breakups—to protect against viewing too much of a content category that may be fine as a single video but problematic if viewed in clusters.”
Additionally, TikTok revealed it is working on a way for users to exclude certain topics from their feed, such as by banning particular words or hashtags. For example, someone struggling with self-esteem could hide beauty posts, or a vegan could ban meat-related videos from appearing on their FYP.
Going forward, the app said its goal “is for each person’s FYP feed to feature a breadth of content, creators, and topics.”
[via The Independent, cover image via Funstock / Shutterstock.com]
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