Apps
TikTok explains how its “For You” feed works
Easy hacks to improve your reach
TikTok has, for the first time, explained how its recommendation feed works and steps for personalizing the feed to avoid content you may not like or aren’t following.
Pretty much every social networking platform leverages algorithms today to filter, recommend, and prioritize content for a user. Much of the details about how these algorithms work are secret or too complex to understand. TikTok has opened up about its technology to counter accusations of creating filter bubbles.
In simple words, multiple engagement metrics like genre, followed people, likes, and comments are used to create a customized feed for the user. The TikTok algorithm uses machine learning to evaluate the quality of every video uploaded.
Once a video is posted, the level of retention and engagement is used to measure likeability. This also helps in identifying videos that have potential to go viral and are shown to more and more viewers. If you watch a video from start to end, the algorithm considers it to be a strong indication of interest.
@twice_tiktok_official
Other factors
Lesser influencing factors are things like your language preference, your country setting, and your mobile device type. However, TikTok says these factors are used to enhance video-delivery and ensure smooth user experience.
A filter bubble means the algorithm is showing you content from a particular category, genre, or segment. The user is stuck in a phase where only one type of content is delivered and there’s no room for new trends or unique styles.
Furthermore, the algorithm suppresses reviewed content found to depict things such as “graphic medical procedures” or “legal consumption of regulated goods”.
The revelation is part of a broader plan to promote openness at TikTok. The China-backed app has come under heavy criticism after legislators in the U.S. question the company’s data protection policies. The authorities are worried its parent company, Bytedance, could succumb to Chinese government pressure and give up personal data of American citizens.
The app is also under fire in India for its light-handed moderation policies. Videos endorsing violence and harassment have been widespread on the platform.
New users on X might soon face a tough time on the platform. The social media website will likely start charging new accounts a small fee for the right to post on the platform.
Now, the fee isn’t a new one. Almost six months ago, the company tested the paid system in New Zealand and the Philippines. New users in those countries had to pay a dollar per year for the ability to post and reply to content.
As spotted by X Daily News on the same platform, the company might be ready to take the experiment to a larger market. New text strings have shown that the policy is rolling out worldwide.
SPECULATION: X might be expanding its policy to charge new users before they reply/like/bookmark a post https://t.co/odqeyeiHBx pic.twitter.com/EU71qlwQ0D
— X Daily News (@xDaily) April 15, 2024
The policy is designed to combat a wave of bots appearing on the platform. By preventing new accounts from creating posts, X hopes to stave off the standard behavior of bots these days. You might have noticed them as OnlyFans creators in unrelated posts, peddling NSFW content on their bio.
Though the global rollout was only just spotted, owner Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed the change. Replying to X Daily News, Musk says that it is “the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots.” He says that the current breed of bots can easily bypass simple checks these days.
Apps
Disney+ might get always-on channels similar to cable TV
Featuring content from Marvel, Star Wars, and classic Disney
The burden of choice on streaming platforms is real. If you’re like us, you’ve spent hours just mindlessly scrolling through titles on Netflix or Disney+ without watching anything. Netflix, at least, has a Play Something button to fight off that irresistible urge. Now, Disney+ is reportedly trying something different: always-on channels.
If you already cut cable from your lives, you’re likely missing traditional channels or networks that have pre-determined programming. It was a flawed system that eventually ended up with mediocre content and a downpour of ads. However, cable did allow us to keep watching without deciding what comes next.
Now, according to The Information, Disney+ is working on adding those channels to its streaming service. Naturally, these channels will include content from the platform’s library such as Marvel, Star Wars, and its list of classic animated films.
Strangely, the reported feature might still have ads in between programs. Though the addition of ads does mean a better similarity with real television, users still have to be paying subscribers to access the channels. Even if you’re already paying for Disney+, you might still get hit with ads.
Disney has not confirmed the reports yet. The platform might launch a version of the feature outside of the scope included in this report. It’s also unknown when these always-on channels will launch.
SEE ALSO: Macross to be available on Disney+
A few years ago, Apple unleashed one of the most interesting features for the iPhone today: Emergency SOS. Designed for those who like their fair bit of the outdoors, Emergency SOS allows users to contact emergency services without network coverage. Other manufacturers, however, are struggling to adopt the same feature. Now, Google might soon join Apple in providing satellite connectivity for its users.
Despite the convenience, satellite connectivity hasn’t taken off as much as the industry expected it to. For one, a network of satellites isn’t the easiest thing to maintain. Apple is still currently offering its services for free, a gamble that may or may not pay off. Now, the iPhone maker won’t be alone.
According to Android Authority, Google might start offering the same service to Pixel 9 users. Starting with this year’s upcoming flagship, the company is reportedly teaming up with T-Mobile to create satellite connectivity for its users. The telecommunications network is teaming up with SpaceX for the feature.
The same report describes how the feature might work. Once activated, the feature will ask users of their situation: is everyone breathing, are people trapped, are weapons involved, among others. The phone will then relay this information to emergency authorities for a rapid response.
Unfortunately, pricing remains a mystery. While Apple is still offering its satellite connectivity for free, other brands might put the burden of cost on the end user. Hopefully, they won’t, but a paid version is unfortunately expected at this point.
SEE ALSO: Should you be excited for Apple’s satellite connectivity?
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