In our last blog on algorithms, we looked at how algorithms decide what content you’re shown and how this could affect you in different ways, including being sent content that you might find difficult.
In this blog, we’re looking at a different aspect of algorithms: what they promote of anything that you’ve created, and whether that is the content you want promoted.
A talented young musician told me recently how much social media is now an inherent part of the life of musicians and other creative artists. Firstly, your audience might expect you to share more aspects of your life, not just what you’re performing. That means that on top of any practising, it can take even more time and work (e.g., social media content creation) to become a successful artist. But, there’s another aspect to creatives using social media and its algorithms. This young musician also told me how she hoped that a talent spotter would see one of her videos of her playing and consider her for some role/position. The only issue was, she found that the social media algorithms were not actually promoting her best performances. In fact, they seemed to promote the ‘less good’ ones.
The algorithms were like a distorting mirror, promoting to the world a less good, diminished version of her talents; would a true picture of her talents ever be seen by talent spotters?
The problem with algorithms is that they follow fairly simple rules (e.g., what is popular) and are not developed or controlled by music critics/experts. So it can be hard to know what will be promoted by an algorithm, or even figure out why.
The purpose of an algorithm is to filter out irrelevant content or content that’s not high quality. This puts your content at risk of being buried or hidden from feeds if it does not fit the criteria.
If you find an algorithm is pushing you extreme content, you could try to ‘clean’ the algorithm to change that. For example, report content that is upsetting and make an effort to engage more with the type of content you’d like to see. But when it comes to your creativity and talents, algorithms can push you (and your content) in directions that you’re not comfortable with.
Tips to help you (re-)think about algorithms and success
1. Stay true to yourself
You may start to work out what the algorithm will focus on and promote in any given app. You might even work out what people are likely to like and share. If you get a great response, it can be really exciting. But take a step back and decide whether you’re having to change your priorities too much in order to become popular.
2. Don’t be a one hit wonder
Perhaps the hardest thing to cope with is success. Imagine if something that you think is okay, but not your best work, goes viral. Everyone may then want you to keep producing that same type of content, which might limit your true creative potential. For example, like a singer who had one big hit, you may have to keep singing that forever. Focus on creating content that is true to you and your goals.
3. Avoid the risk of becoming extreme
Sometimes art is extreme and intense when there are important issues behind it. But, you might also find that if you create something more extreme, more people will engage with your content, or the algorithms may promote it more. But is that how you want to be seen and known for? Consider what type of audience may engage with that kind of content. Is that something you would like?
4. Friends can help you
Your friends may be very good at helping you work out what is your best work. They can also help with promoting it, by sharing and liking it. These actions may trigger an algorithm into promoting what you like best.
5. Use other channels to develop your talents
It is tempting to think that if you post your work on one of the larger platforms, a talent scout will see your talent and success will follow. But many talented musicians, writers, and artists have spent a long time developing their skills in small venues or private places, which has allowed them to really find ‘their voice’. So find the right space or channel where you can develop, rather than just focusing on bigger platforms and trying to get maximum reach or engagement. This will help you to develop your confidence and make you more resilient to the things that can go wrong.
For more tips and support for online wellbeing, check out stem4’s other blog posts on digital wellbeing.
