How do social media companies direct our perceptions?

In fact, the answer to these questions shows how successful social media companies are in directing our perceptions. Algorithms, data analysis and the power of psychology By combining it, they are unaware that they shape our thoughts, preferences and even our emotions.

Come, this magical and a little scary Let’s look at how the world works.

Algorithms: Magicians who know everything

Social media platforms The biggest weapon, algorithms. These algorithms aim to provide a personalized experience by analyzing the behavior of each user.

If you like a few cat videos on Instagram, the algorithm assumes that you are a “cat” and You see more cat content. So how is this?

Algorithms; Your liking, your comments, your shares And even follows how much time you spend in a shipment. By analyzing this data, it emphasizes the content that you think will be of interest. So everything you see is not random, It is a completely special choice for you.

However, this is a “Filter Balloon” creates. You only see content that suits your interests, which can narrow your world view.

For example, if you constantly see content of a particular political view, you may start to ignore other perspectives over time. Algorithms, without realizing you “To the echo room” imprisoning.

Data Analysis: Every click has a meaning.

Social media companies; It records each click, shift and appreciation. These gigantic data heaps are processed by data analysis methods. A detailed profile is created.

For this reason, the advertisement of similar products after you like a product on Instagram. Not a coincidence, A result of data analysis.

Data Analysis, not just what you like, but when you are active, Which emotional situation And even follows who you interact with.

If you consume more emotional content in the evening hours The algorithm can use this information to offer you more emotional content at that time.

This allows you to spend more time on the platform because the important thing for social media companies is yours. The time you spend on the screen. The more time you spend, the more ads you see and contribute to the revenue of the platform.

Psychology: They are aware of our weaknesses.

Social media companies know human psychology very well. Especially, The reward mechanism of our brain They have discovered how to activate.

When you like a post or watch a video, your brain secretes a hormone called dopamine. This hormone, you makes you feel happy And it encourages this behavior to recur. Social media creates addiction by constantly triggering this mechanism.

Moreover “Social approval” They also use our need. The more appreciated and comments come to a post, the value of that post increases and we want to consume it. This is constantly pushing us to stay active on the platform.

Likewise, “FOMO” (Fear of Missing Out) well “Fear of missing things “ a psychological effect that social media frequently uses. The constant desire to follow up -to -date content connects us to the platform.

Conclusion: Being aware of the first step.

Social media companies; by combining algorithms, data analysis and the power of psychology They are quite successful in directing our perceptions.

However, we need to recover the control in a awareness of this situation. What we consume, how much time we spend and these platforms questioning how it affects us We can be a more conscious user.

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