How Algorithms Decide What You Watch – And How They Control You:

I still remember the day I opened YouTube and the title was “What happens when you die?” Strange, because I had never searched for anything even close to that. But I clicked on it. 

The next day, I watched videos about spirituality. Then conspiracy theories. Then afterlife experiences. Within a week, my homepage was filled with content I had never actively sought out. 

I didn’t choose to go down that rabbit hole. 

The algorithm did. And that’s where this story begins — with a machine you can’t see, silently recording everything you see, think, and sometimes even feel.

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What Is An Algorithm, Really?

An algorithm is simply a set of rules that tell a machine what to do. But on social media, streaming sites, or online stores, these rules don’t just follow logic — they learn from you. 

Every time you: 

  ➤ Click on a video

  ➤ Like a post

  ➤ Pause on a photo 

  ➤ Watch something until the end ...

You feed the algorithm information. And in return, it shows you more of what it thinks you’ll enjoy.

Sounds helpful, right? 

But here’s where things get complicated.

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Algorithms Learn You Better Than You Know Yourself:

Let’s say you’re tired one day and click on a random “motivational” reel on Instagram. It piqued your interest. Maybe you should look at something else. Now the app thinks:  

This person wants motivation. Let’s keep showing them.

You might be trying to focus on school or work, but your feed is slowly filling up with “grind mindset” content. Some of it is helpful. But much of it is repetitive, sentimental, and sometimes toxic. 

Why? Because the goal of algorithms isn’t to make you better. It’s to keep you stuck. 

Apps like TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram track behavior, not intent. They don’t care if you’re watching something out of curiosity, boredom, or even disgust. If you’re engaged, that’s enough.

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TikTok And The 3-second Rule:

TikTok’s algorithm is famous (and feared) for how powerful it is. Experts say it only takes three seconds of TikTok viewing time to figure out whether you like a video or not. 

Here’s what happens behind the scenes: 

1. You watch a funny cat video. 

2. You replay it. 

3. You follow the creator. 

4. TikTok says, “Let’s show this person more cats.” 

Suddenly, you’re on “CatTok,” whether you planned it or not. And the same goes for politics, body image, mental health—you name it. 

In fact, a 2022 study by the Mozilla Foundation found that YouTube often suggests more extreme content than you’d normally search for—pushing viewers toward polarizing content without them even noticing.

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Personalization Or Manipulation?

Now, let’s talk about control. 

You think you’re in charge because you use your phone. But the truth is, your phone is using you. 

Think about it: 

  ✧ Why do you see one ad, and your friend sees something completely different? 

  ✧ Why does political opinion online feel so black and white? 

  ✧ Why do you keep hearing the same kind of news over and over again? 

Because algorithms create an “echo chamber.” They surround you with voices and ideas that match what you already believe. Over time, this makes it harder to see other perspectives, and easier to believe “this is the only truth.” 

And it’s not just opinion. It’s psychology, data, and marketing working together.

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Can You Escape The Algorithm?

You can’t escape it completely. But you can fight back. 

Here’s how: 

  ✦ Actively search, don’t just scroll; go and see what you want to learn. 

  ✦ Clear your viewing/search history regularly. 

  ✦ Use incognito mode for unbiased results. 

  ✦ Pause before you click. Ask yourself: “Do I want to see more of this?” 

Follow diverse voices Train the algorithm to your liking, not its guess.

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The Big Picture: Why It Matters:

Algorithms are the hidden editors of your digital life. 

They decide:

  ❖ What news you read, 

  ❖ What products you buy 

  ❖ What thoughts you encounter 

  ❖ And even how you feel throughout the day. 

They don’t have emotions. They don’t understand context. They only understand engagement. And if anger, fear, or obsession makes you stay longer, they will use it. 

That’s why it’s important to be aware, not afraid. Awareness is power.

You’re not just scrolling, you’re being shaped. Every scroll, click, and pause is a vote. Not just for the content, but for the kind of digital world you want to live in. 

Next time you’re on YouTube or Instagram, ask yourself: 

Who really chose what I see, me or the machine?

 Because the truth is, algorithms don’t just show you things. They train you.

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