Algorithms

Definition

In the context of social media and the internet within political science, algorithms are sets of rules or processes designed to analyze data and make decisions or solve problems automatically. They play a crucial role in filtering, sorting, and delivering content to users based on their preferences, interactions, and behaviors online.

Related terms

Filter Bubble: A situation in which an internet user encounters only information and opinions that conform to and reinforce their own beliefs, caused by algorithms that personalize an individual's online experience.

Echo Chamber: A metaphorical description of a situation where beliefs are amplified or reinforced by communication and repetition inside a closed system, often facilitated by algorithmically curated feeds on social media platforms.

Data Mining: The process of using algorithms to analyze large sets of data from various sources to discover patterns, trends, and connections that might otherwise be invisible or incomprehensible