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TikTok’s For You Page (FYP) is the home screen for users of the video sharing platform. It’s a human feed, algorithmically controlled, but the process differs from other media in TikTok’s algorithm. they are very dependent for non-visual signals—such as how long users watch certain videos—as well as audio signals such as likes or follows. And usually, that algorithm does very well for predicting videos that will interest users.
But some users have expressed concern that TikTok’s all-powerful algorithm seems to be incorporating bad ideas more effectively. Even if they don’t watch a video or click “disinterested”, they only see the videos on their FYP. Computer scientists at Northwestern University tried to question this. According to them recent paperengagement signs have an effect, but only temporarily. Then the algorithm restarts slowly unless the user makes the same comments over and over again.
The research team focuses on the “ranking algorithm,” co-author Piotr Sapiezynski told Ars, to better understand online platforms: “how they work, how they fail, when they fail, how they hurt people and groups.” In this case, he and his co-authors wanted to take a closer look at the users’ organization after hearing several reports from TikTok users that their negative attitude – in response to what they were told by showing that they are not interested or want to see less of a certain type of video – does not seem to remove the posts from their FYP. “On the other hand, it’s not clear why the planets would give, if they don’t work,” said Sapiezynski.
