Algodini
Unexpected changes to familiar content and interactions without explanation or feedback, creating confusion and undermining user trust.
Examples
Changing familiar content and interactions without feedback, such as reducing follower counts after bot removal or updating search results unexpectedly.
Promoting frequent posting to maintain visibility, where exposure is based on activity and follower count rather than content quality, causing inactive users to appear less in search results.
Buying followers to manipulate perceived popularity and engagement, exploiting interface algorithms without providing feedback to users, driving retention through social proof rather than meaningful interaction.
Fear of reading reviews or medical information caused by an overrepresentation of complaints, skewing perception and decision-making.
Products like OKCupid use algorithms to manipulate which profiles users see, shaping interactions and engagement.
Products like Twitter and Instagram limit content exposure to drive revenue.
Products like Twitter allowing bots to simulate activity and interactions, increasing engagement metrics without reflecting genuine user behavior.
Products like Facebook primed users by setting their own email address as the default, influencing behavior and engagement without explicit consent.
Altruheuristics
Biology
- Anxiety: Unexpected changes bring uncertainty.
- Status Play: Lowered if losing followers causing negative emotions.
CBT Distortions
- Personalization e.g. Did I do something wrong?
- Overgeneralization e.g. I’m always screwing up.
- Jumping to Conclusions e.g. Is it because of me?
Biases
- Negativity Bias
- Loss Aversion
Circ’s Principles
- Transparency: Reduce anxiety by removing uncertainty and explaining algorithm updates.
Mental Health
- None.
Traditional Heuristics
Jakob Nielson Principles
- User Control: No choice is provided and impact is immediate.
Gestalt
- None
Don Norman Principles
- Feedback: None is provided.
Graphic Design
- None
Deceptive Patterns
- None.