14 votes

A deeper look into how YouTube’s recommendation system works

11 comments

  1. [3]
    umbrae
    Link
    Ok, I admit I did not get into the meat of the article at all, but god this sort of framing infuriates me, it’s essentially a punch list of the top things Google is trying to defend against right...

    For me, that means diving into lectures exploring the ethical questions facing technology today or watching highlights from the University of Southern California football games I remember seeing as a kid. For my oldest daughter, it was finding laughter and community with the Vlogbrothers. And for my oldest son, recommendations brought about a better understanding of linear algebra through animated explainers by 3Blue1Brown—with breaks to watch KSI videos.

    Ok, I admit I did not get into the meat of the article at all, but god this sort of framing infuriates me, it’s essentially a punch list of the top things Google is trying to defend against right now (their AI ethics issues and how their algorithm is toxic for kids) and feels like spin right from the get go.

    8 votes
    1. [2]
      skybrian
      Link Parent
      It’s certainly intentional, but pointing out that YouTube is sometimes used for good things doesn’t seem invalid. Do you never watch videos that you would recommend to others?

      It’s certainly intentional, but pointing out that YouTube is sometimes used for good things doesn’t seem invalid. Do you never watch videos that you would recommend to others?

      3 votes
      1. umbrae
        Link Parent
        I absolutely do. I think the thing that grated at me was that those particular avenues to mention (CS ethics, kids watching YouTube) are clearly tailored to the criticisms of youtube right now,...

        I absolutely do. I think the thing that grated at me was that those particular avenues to mention (CS ethics, kids watching YouTube) are clearly tailored to the criticisms of youtube right now, and don’t feel genuine as a result.

        4 votes
  2. Oak
    Link
    Is it that complicated? I get recommended the same videos everyday unless I click the "Not Interested" option.

    Is it that complicated? I get recommended the same videos everyday unless I click the "Not Interested" option.

    6 votes
  3. [3]
    tomf
    Link
    soemwhat related, The NYT has a podcast called Rabbit hole where they tracked a guy's journey in and out of QAnon via his youtube history and speaks to the echo chambers that recommendations can...

    soemwhat related, The NYT has a podcast called Rabbit hole where they tracked a guy's journey in and out of QAnon via his youtube history and speaks to the echo chambers that recommendations can create.

    4 votes
    1. [2]
      Jedi
      Link Parent
      That sounds super interesting, thank you for sharing!

      That sounds super interesting, thank you for sharing!

      2 votes
      1. tomf
        Link Parent
        its pretty neat. His story is the focus of the first 2/3rds -- then it gets into related stuff. It has a prime Reply-All feel to it.

        its pretty neat. His story is the focus of the first 2/3rds -- then it gets into related stuff. It has a prime Reply-All feel to it.

        2 votes
  4. [4]
    Staross
    Link
    The other day I got this unknown album recommended by the algorithm : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQq3Jwz0bDQ 1M views on a channel that usually only get a couple of thousand. Most of the...

    The other day I got this unknown album recommended by the algorithm :

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQq3Jwz0bDQ

    1M views on a channel that usually only get a couple of thousand. Most of the comment thank the algorithm for blessing them with random recommendation.

    3 votes
    1. [3]
      skybrian
      Link Parent
      But do you like it?

      But do you like it?

      1. [2]
        Staross
        Link Parent
        It's not bad, but the point is rather to illustrate what the algo can do.

        It's not bad, but the point is rather to illustrate what the algo can do.

        4 votes
        1. joplin
          Link Parent
          I guess I have mixed feelings about that. On the one hand, it can propel someone unknown into people's lives, and if people like what they're hearing, that's great! On the other hand, it can also...

          I guess I have mixed feelings about that. On the one hand, it can propel someone unknown into people's lives, and if people like what they're hearing, that's great! On the other hand, it can also arbitrarily keep someone from reaching a wider audience with no recourse or even knowledge that it happened.

          4 votes