Social media algorithms shape the beliefs people form /// Even small changes to content curation algorithms can shape what people come to believe—for better or worse.

Research.

• Algorithms shape the beliefs people form: Simple changes to content curation algorithms can affect beliefs, consensus, and belief accuracy.
• Personalized engagement-based ranking can be problematic: Although users perceive these feeds positively, they tend to lead to less consensus and less accurate beliefs.
• Consensus is possible: Bridging-based ranking can help promote consensus by surfacing content that receives approval across different groups.
• Belief accuracy can be improved: Intelligence-based ranking can promote more accurate collective and individual judgments.
• Small algorithmic changes can have large effects: Simple changes to how posts are sampled and ranked can substantially influence the beliefs people form.