I turned off my algorithm for 24 hours. Is this how social media used to be?
Summary
The Australian government announced new rules that will let social media users turn off algorithms that decide what content they see. A journalist tested this on Instagram by turning off her algorithm and found that her feed became very limited and less engaging, showing only posts from people she follows in order of posting time.Key Facts
- Australia plans to allow social media users to opt out of content algorithms.
- Algorithms are computer programs that select and show posts based on user interests.
- The author turned off Instagram’s algorithm for 24 hours using a hidden setting.
- Without the algorithm, the feed only showed posts from followed accounts in chronological order.
- After unfollowing accounts not personally known, the author quickly ran out of new posts.
- The old-style feed felt less distracting but more empty and less interesting.
- Many friends used social media to promote themselves rather than share casual updates.
- The author questions if this simpler type of social media is more authentic but less entertaining.
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