ABSTRACT
Many social media platforms rely on algorithms to function. This chapter discusses what algorithms are and how they are used in society. It then focuses on three areas where algorithms affect daily social media use: content curation and recommendation, content moderation, and advertisement allocation. The chapter also discusses the concept of the “platform economy” and the role of “attention merchants” in this economy. It highlights the potential for an “attention crisis” in the social media economy but also suggests ways in which users can take control.
