Stop Talking About “The Algorithm” If You Didn’t Write the Code

You don’t know what “the algorithm” actually does, so stop telling people how to beat it

Photo by Olav Ahrens Røtne on Unsplash

Many people seem to believe that social media websites are powered by a magical, super-special file called The Algorithm™, as if only a single, complicated equation in a heavily-guarded, secret document determines whether your posts get the organic reach you desire.

• Your latest post didn’t reach enough people? It must be The Algorithm.
• Your YouTube video didn’t go viral this time? Must be The Algorithm again.
• “Comment on this post so the Facebook algorithm knows to show my posts in your feed!”
• You notice some changes to a social media website’s user interface, so they must have also changed The Algorithm.

People seem to think algorithms are something they’re not.

A+B=C is an algorithm. An algorithm is just a set of rules (or a process) that is followed when performing calculations or other operations. An algorithm is not a magical, special file that software engineers maliciously change to keep you on your toes. It’s not a deeply complicated equation that singlehandedly determines your fate on social…