Over the past few years, social media platforms have transformed from simple hosts for online communication to a daily, addictive habit that has taken over the lives of most of the population. The pipeline to this quick change in pace? The handy use of algorithms.

From the short-form content of apps like Instagram and TikTok to the longer-form material of sites such as YouTube and Twitch, algorithms reign universally. Content creators—and even casual users—have learned how to game the system to gain a following.

The desire for digital attention and recognition is more prevalent than ever, and these social media platforms’ algorithms have fed right into the demand. From the constant feed of sensationalized and click-baited content on YouTube to the material being silently passed around by brands without consent on TikTok, the lack of content moderation on these platforms is cause for concern.

In Algorithm Overload, the Daily Dot digs into the problems plaguing social media giants, their users, and in turn, where the internet as a whole is heading.

— Je’Kayla Crawford and Kiera Sargent, Trending News Interns