«The magical world of the algorithm». Imaginary, perception and interaction of TikTok users with the platform’s algorithm

Journal title SOCIOLOGIA DELLA COMUNICAZIONE
Author/s Stefania Parisi, Ellenrose Firth
Publishing Year 2024 Issue 2023/66
Language Italian Pages 17 P. 60-76 File size 286 KB
DOI 10.3280/SC2023-066004
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«The magical world of the algorithm». Imaginary, perception and interaction of TikTok users with the platform’s algorithm. The following article analyses TikTok as a video sharing platform, the audiences that can be found on the platform as well as how they interact with their recommendation algorithm. By adopting a grounded theory approach, the analysis uses the concepts of algorithmic imaginary and folk theories in order to interpret the answers of 20 interviewees. Starting from the idea of algorithmic awareness, the main themes that emerge are how people imagine the platform works, and how these ideas influence the domestication process they enact towards their algorithm.

Keywords: TikTok; audience; algorithmic imaginary; folk theories; domestication; algorithm studies

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Stefania Parisi, Ellenrose Firth, «Il magico mondo dell’algoritmo». Immaginario, percezione e interazione degli utenti di TikTok con l’algoritmo di piattaforma in "SOCIOLOGIA DELLA COMUNICAZIONE " 66/2023, pp 60-76, DOI: 10.3280/SC2023-066004