The Social Construction of Algorithms in Everyday Life: Examining TikTok Users’ Understanding of the Platform’s Algorithm

This article explores the social construction of algorithms on TikTok through the lens of algorithmic experiences in everyday life. The TikTok algorithm is a social construct that exists due to a range of psychosocial, socioeconomic, and sociopolitical experiences that are utilized in narratives about what is perceived by the platform’s users as “algorithmic.” Through a qualitative analysis of 100 TikTok videos, this article evaluates how variations in TikTok users’ levels of “algorithm awareness” affect their understanding of the platform’s algorithm. The implications of this analysis extend beyond TikTok and highlight the importance of developing algorithmic literacies and understanding the relationship between algorithm awareness and trust in algorithmic systems. Overall, this study provides critical insights into the complex nature of algorithmic culture, underscoring the need for a greater understanding of algorithmic systems in contemporary society.