During the past week, we witnessed many articles and reports claiming that Facebook is not really unbiased when it comes to crafting its Trending Topics section. In response, the social media network has come forward with more information on how the Trending Topics mechanism works, in an attempt to shed some more light in the wake of recent press revelations.
In a lengthy Newsroom blog post, Facebook tried to get more candid about how Trending Topics sections work. More specifically, there is a sophisticated set of guidelines in order to ensure that the content provided in the Trending Topics section helps “people discover content that is both popular in the world and meaningful to them.”
If you like our stories, there is an easy way to stay updated:
Follow @wersm
Facebook bases their creation on 3 different factors: an algorithm, a dedicated Trending Topics team and personalisation. The algorithm identifies topics that have recently spiked in popularity on Facebook – topics that have high mentions over a short period of time. Then, the Trending Topics team validates the topic by cross-checking with sources, and finally, a personalisation algorithm places the trending topic in your sphere of interests, based on the pages you have liked, your feedback, and other factors. Each user sees different Trending Topics.
With US elections coming up, and a complex international state of affairs, Facebook is attempting to steer clear of the reports that accuse it of biased information. If you want to learn more about how Trending Topics work, you can find additional information here.
If you like our stories, there is an easy way to stay updated:
Follow @wersm
You might also like
More from Facebook
Meta Is Killing Its Messenger For Apple Watch App
Meta announced it will remove the Messenger for Apple Watch app on May 31 “After May 31st, Messenger won’t be available …
Facebook And Instagram Start Selling Blue Checks With Meta Verified
Meta Verified will give you a blue check badge on both Facebook and Instagram, along with other benefits for $12 …
Meta Brings Back #BuyBlack Friday For A Third Year
Meta is bringing back #BuyBlack Friday for a third consecutive year in North America. Meta emphasized the importance of the Holiday …
Facebook Is Giving You More Controls Over What You See On Your Feed
Facebook is introducing new "show more" and "show less" controls to let you adjust what you want to see on …
Meta Introduces Facebook Reels API, Offering An Option To ‘Share To Reels’
Meta has introduced the Facebook Reels API, a solution allowing developers to build a 'share to reels' option into their …
Facebook Gets Into Delivery With DoorDash Partnership
DoorDash is partnering with Meta to pilot Facebook Marketplace deliveries across multiple cities in the U.S. Drivers will only transport items …
Meta Rolls Out Horizon Worlds In France And Spain
Meta Horizon Worlds, the VR community and game, is now available in France and Spain.
Meta Refreshes Facebook Groups With New Features
Facebook Groups now have an updated invitation system to reduce admin workloads and limit sharing of misinformation.
Meta Offers Digital Security Course For Journalists And Human Rights Defenders
The Meta Journalism Project and the ICFJ have put together a self-paced 90-minute course and webinars to provide online safety …
