The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. Imagine a town with two widget merchants. Customers prefer cheaper widgets, so the merchants must compete to set the lowest price.

Ever wondered how social media platforms decide how to fill our feeds? They use algorithms, of course, but how do these algorithms work? A series of corporate leaks over the past few years provides a ...

Most platforms give you some control over what appears in your recommendations and ‘for you’ feeds. Most platforms give you some control over what appears in your recommendations and ‘for you’ feeds ...