Understanding TikTok’s “For You” page algorithm
To be more transparent about its recommendation algorithm, TikTok has introduced a new feature that enables users to understand the factors behind video recommendations. You can access the new feature by tapping on the share panel and selecting the question mark icon labelled “Why this video.” TikTok will then share a list of factors that played a role in the recommendation. “This feature is one of many ways we’re working to bring meaningful transparency to the people who use our platform and build on several steps we’ve taken towards that goal,” the company said in a blog post. “Looking ahead, we’ll continue to expand this feature to bring more granularity and transparency to content recommendations.” This move towards greater transparency is a welcome one as it allows users to better understand how the algorithm works and how it determines what content to recommend. It also helps to address some concerns the US government and the FBI have raised about the app’s recommendation algorithm, as users will now have more insight into how it operates. TikTok plans to gradually increase the granularity and transparency of the feature over time, potentially adding more detailed explanations in the future. A TikTok spokesperson also mentioned that future versions may consider other factors, such as an individual’s account settings, that influence the app’s algorithm. Overall, the new “Why this video” feature is a welcome addition to TikTok, bringing more context and understanding to the recommended content. It’s always good to see platforms taking steps to be more transparent with their users, and this feature is a step in the right direction for TikTok.
