ST. LOUIS, MO (KMOX) - Does a computer code know what you want? Social media platforms put a lot of trust in algorithms to keep people engaged in content.
"Revenue generated by these sites and platforms is determined by 'stickiness', meaning how well they hold our attention and get us to return," explains Media Literacy expert and author Julie Smith.
"Algorithms keep track of what we like, click, and what we watch all the way through," adds Smith.
Chicago-based social media management company Sprout Social points out that algorithms aren't always perfect -- sometimes content seems to disappear and others times randomly reaches viewers. Sprout Social adds that without algorithms, it might be impossible to sift through all the content online.
Critics of algorithms cite concerns about how social media users might be influenced to see the world, based on what these computer codes decide to prioritize on your feeds.
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