How does the Twitter algorithm work? – 09/04/2023 – Ronaldo Lemos

In the midst of the confusion that has become Twitter, an extraordinary thing happened on March 31st. The company published the entire code of its algorithm on the internet.

Just to recap, the algorithm is the set of rules that defines how certain content on the platform will be prioritized or disseminated. It’s like the “Da Vinci Code” of virality. He decides if his tweet is going to be mediocre or if it’s going to be shown to millions of people.

Not by chance the big platforms keep their algorithms hidden. They treat these codes as a trade secret in the style of the Coca-Cola formula. But Twitter changed course and made its formula public. The decision is so important that when I saw it, I thought it might be some kind of April Fools prank. But the movement is real.

Algorithm transparency is one of the most important and little-discussed topics in today’s world. Especially as our lives are increasingly governed by algorithms.

When someone orders a taxi via the app, an algorithm decides who will be the driver. When someone seeks to meet someone on their cell phone, it is the algorithm that can lead them to find the love of their life, or a serial killer. Much of our everyday life ends up being defined by algorithms.

It’s just that there’s virtually no transparency to these rule sets. Neither in the private sector nor in the public sector. For example, the Judiciary uses algorithms to define which judge will be responsible for each case. These algorithms, as simple as they may be, can have a profound impact on people’s lives. They are neither public nor auditable. Should be. In that sense, Twitter has become more transparent today than much of the government that uses algorithms.

There are legislative changes around the world demanding transparency. In Europe, the so-called “Digital Services Act” created obligations to explain how platform algorithms work. In China, recent rules even created a public registry of algorithms, which is mandatory for many companies.

But after all, how does the Twitter algorithm work? Will my tweet go viral? Some rules of published code follow. For example, hashtag lovers will be disappointed. Including too many hashtags in a tweet takes it down. If you include a photo or video, you can multiply your reach by two.

The code reveals that verified accounts have greater reach. Accounts that follow more people than they are followed have their reach reduced. Items that increase reach: Post news and topics that are on the rise in “trending topics”. Items that reduce reach: tweets without text, with only links or a name.

Another important factor is the amount of “likes” received. They extend reach 30 times more than replies to a tweet. It is worth noting that Twitter maintains a list of topics that are prohibited on the platform – if mentioned, the account loses reputation and reach.

Also, there’s a “tell me who you hang out with” rule. If your account interacts with low reputation accounts, it loses reputation as well. And, of course, any tweet made by Elon Musk belongs in a special category of his own, which may be governed by separate rules.

In other words, the best tip to go viral on Twitter is to own the platform.

It’s over – buy land only in the real world

Already – buy lands in the metaverse

It’s coming – rent land in the metaverse instead of buying

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