this post was submitted on 01 Apr 2026
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[–] tal@lemmy.today 13 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (4 children)

Over that stunningly short amount of time viewing and swiping, the algorithm is able to direct hyper-personalized content to viewers.

I mean, that's...not really a negative. You could argue that the content is largely fluff (which I think it is, when it comes to short-form video), or maybe that material that appeals to a user isn't what would help them the most or any number of other things, but being able to find and provide content that is a function of a user's interests is normally something that one would consider desirable. I'd rather do less scrolling past things that I'm not interested in viewing.

[–] dhork@lemmy.world 17 points 4 days ago (2 children)

You are making the mistake of assuming this is done for your benefit, though. You are not TikTok's customer. You are the product, and advertisers are their customers.

They aren't showing you things you are interested in, they are showing you things their customers are paying to show you.

[–] village604@adultswim.fan 9 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I can't stand it when my wife says, "people on TikTok all love this product."

Right, because they're being paid to say that.

[–] madeindex@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

Hahah that is the worst argument I have ever heard ;)

[–] madeindex@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

their

But in a subtle way to make you think it's what you wanted eh ;)

[–] MagicShel@lemmy.zip 4 points 4 days ago (2 children)

I found TikTok to have a great algorithm for what I wanted to see. I discovered some quality content there. That said I haven't used it since the buyout and I miss some of the posters in a way, but it's not like they were irreplaceably filling some void in my life.

Yeah, after the initial cleaning up of the algo (tell TikTok you're not interested in whatever you don't want to see) I had nothing but a good experience on there. I, like you, stopped using it once the buy out happened.

[–] madeindex@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

What specifically do you miss most? Is it something that loops.video doesn't have?

[–] MagicShel@lemmy.zip 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The algorithm at really good at presenting people who were relevant to my interests. People I wouldn't have any idea I would like. Like Mr. Global for insight into oil markets. Stoobs and Kit Lazer for movie reviews. The autistic stats guy for analyzing truth behind headlines. Some guy for Dr Doom facts and anarchist POV on current events.

Like there were people that if you described them to me, I'd be like... pass. And yet I found them educational and interesting. I don't know how another platform offers that algorithm, even if the other features are great. It's not a knock on anyone else. I have zero interest in YouTube shorts, for example.

That's nothing against loops.video. I might like it if I tried it.

[–] madeindex@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Magic

Yeah I guess no algorithm also has a downside, however if you like to see mostly what your friends and people you follow post, it's probably much better.

[–] MagicShel@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

For the most part that is my preference, but there needs to be some mechanism for discovery. Timeline isn't bad, but I tend to avoid it once I have enough subs. For example, I probably don't visit /all in Lemmy but maybe once a year at this point. I'm sure there are new communities I'd have interest in that I miss. Probably a bunch.

So yeah. It's good to have a good discovery algorithm, but it's also addictive. So it's good not to have an algorithm, but then it gets difficult to hit critical mass for both creators and consumers.

Shrug.

[–] madeindex@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

So yeah. It’s good to have a good discovery algorithm, but it’s also addictive. So it’s good not to have an algorithm, but then it gets difficult to hit critical mass for both creators and consumers.

You can make your own algorithm on many Fediverse platforms, by blocking certain words I guess. I personally like the trending/explore pages.

Loops also has starter kits, to make building their own "alghorithm" easier for new users: https://loops.video/starter-kits/browse

[–] madeindex@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago

Problem is they abuse that, people trust the algorithm and then they can easily be manipulated I guess ;)