Unveiling the Mystery: Code Behind Twitter's Algorithm, Explaining Which Tweets We See and Why
Figure 1. Twitter posts the code it claims determines which tweets people see, and why (Purdy, 2023). Retrieved from www.arstechnica.com
Twitter is a powerful tool for connecting with people and sharing content. But how does Twitter decide which tweets to show users? Recently, Twitter released the code that it claims determines what tweets people see, and why.
The code released by Twitter includes algorithms that are used to recommend tweets to users based on their interests and activity. This means that when you log in to your Twitter account, you will likely see tweets related to topics you’ve been engaging with or searching for. The code also includes features such as “trending topics” which shows popular conversations happening on the platform at any given time.
Twitter has also revealed its recommendation algorithm, which is used to suggest accounts and content that might be of interest to users. This algorithm takes into account factors such as the user’s past interactions with other accounts, as well as the type of content they have engaged with in the past.
Figure 2. Twitter reveals some of its source code, including its recommendation algorithm (Wiggers, 2023). Retrieved from www.techcrunch.com
By releasing this code, Twitter is providing transparency into how its platform works and giving developers an opportunity to create new tools and applications based on this information. It also gives users more control over what they see on their timeline, allowing them to customize their experience more easily.
Overall, this move by Twitter is a positive step towards creating a more open platform where everyone can benefit from its features and capabilities. With this new insight into how Twitter works, developers can create even better tools for users while ensuring that everyone has access to relevant content tailored specifically for them.
Sources:
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/03/twitter-posts-the-code-it-claims-determines-which-tweets-people-see-and-why/
https://www.dw.com/en/twitter-reveals-code-showing-why-tweets-pop