I read about some research (and it may have been funded by the socials, I don’t remember) that in a Coke/Pepsi blind test, users preferred algorithmic feeds. Most people do not think too much about what is happening behind the scenes and are happy to receive content they like. The unwashed masses are less concerned with things like privacy or moderation of content. I think there is a strong correlation between people who care about such things and their preference for chronological feeds. And we’re the minority.

An algorithmic feed will always be a better vessel to sell ads. Or in a more conspiratorial sense, to serve you “approved content.” So in the end, it boils down to money. Money prefers algorithms.

The idea is to brainwash people

The exact methods may differ but the answer is the same, money.

I think it’s worth pointing out also that Reddit moved away from vote-based ranking like 10 years ago. They use an algorithm for ranking as well. The karma scores you see next to posts are not their actual vote tally. The numbers are assigned by algorithm with the votes just being a factor that influences the final number. I hated that change. It was probably the earliest sign for me that things were going in a bad direction.

They care about engagement more than user preferences. They don’t care about content you want to see, they want to show you content that makes it hard for you to tear your eyes away, so they can show you more ads in between engagement bait.

If you think the large social media platforms are in the business of public service I have a bridge I can sell you.

Control.

Much easier to corral cattle to mindlessly consume.

“20% off and free shipping if your order is over $250!”

“And thank you to FuckUrPrivacy Company for sponsoring today’s video”

Does Reddit really have any less engagement than Twitter or Instagram?

Yes, and no, respectively, according to Statista.

I think the more algorithmic platforms are trying to maximize performance for users who shut off their critical thinking and consume whatever they get, especially ads. Something more forum-like doesn’t fit that model.

I think part of it is that most people go to Reddit with a need. Once it’s met, they leave.

Most social media is monetized so they’re incentivized to bait you into engagement.

Reddit has considerably less engagement because people browse it with more intention. There’s very little paid content, so good creators often go to other platforms, and videos are only concentrated in a few subreddits. This creates an environment where there’s less (though not necessarily worse) content, so there’s no endless scrolling like there is in other social media forms.

Reddit is trying to change this, and working hard to do it, part of why they introduced payment for posting(though the system ain’t much), as well as removing r/all in favor of an algorithmic change. Unfortunately for them, this is them failure to account for their niche in the market… But corporations must grow.