Algorithmic

The complicated set of rules, calculations, and code that directs the showing off of content in social media is what we term 'algorithmic social media. ' It is up to these rules to define a user's experience in 'the feed,' 'suggested content,' and 'notifications. '



Since these are also terms used to refer to an expression of art, a set of rules can be thought of as a kind of algorithm.

From this perspective, we can ask ourselves: What set of rules does Instagram use to paint my feed? We can also ask: Does it prefer some kinds of brush strokes over others? Does it use different colors of paint on different days, so my feed looks different from the way it looked yesterday?

In any case, from the user’s standpoint, Instagram is something of an abstract art experience. It constantly surfaces and favors different content in such huge amounts that, unless one is completely vigilant with a time-consuming or insane amount of hashtag tracking, one is bound to miss much of the art Instagram chooses to favor in any given moment.