Filter Bubbles and How They Work in Social Media

Google uses an algorithm (meaning a set of rules to be followed) to find search results that match the search terms we type in. This means that Google finds and shows us the most visible and popular links. The results we see may not be the most trustworthy sites/articles, and therefore may not be the best information out there for our information need. This shows how important it is for us to think critically about all the information we find when we search on the web.

This video sheds light on how information is organized, and how it's made visible and accessible online, in particular on Facebook, Google, and various other news sites. The video is 9 minutes long, but watching the first 4 minutes will show us how results are manipulated in Google. However, feel free to watch the entire video, if you want.

"Beware online "filter bubbles" - Eli Pariser" Links to an external site. by TED Links to an external site.