Broadly defined, an algorithm is a process or set of rules for solving a given problem in computing. In the context of online services where content is displayed to users, a key use of algorithms is to power ‘recommender systems’ to select, rank, and personalize content for users.
Commentary:
- They can also be used for safety purposes, to automatically detect content that may violate terms of service.
- Algorithmic outputs may be based on a nearly infinite range of factors and inputs, depending on the design of a product or service and the data available.
- Some common (but not universal) algorithmic inputs for ranking or recommendation purposes include information known or inferred about a user, such as past interactions with the service, or demographic data about the user.
- Likewise, information about the content itself, such as its topic, media type, or general popularity, can be used. In the context of search services, an algorithm may be used to sort, weight, include, and exclude potential responses to a search query.