The political effects of X's feed algorithm
6 days ago
- #political influence
- #algorithmic bias
- #social media
- X's feed algorithm significantly influences political attitudes, making users more likely to prioritize Republican policy issues like inflation, immigration, and crime.
- Users exposed to X's algorithm were 5.5 percentage points more likely to view investigations into Trump as unacceptable.
- The algorithm's effects persisted even after it was turned off, partly because users followed more conservative influencers.
- A 4.7% shift in political views is enough to swing an election, highlighting the algorithm's potential impact.
- X's algorithm may be more predisposed to political manipulation compared to other platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
- The study underscores the need for decentralized algorithmic ownership, open platforms with algorithm choices, and greater transparency.