Facebook Trending News Selection Controlled By Editors Not Algorithms

[HardOCP News]

Despite statements made to the contrary earlier this week claiming it does not "insert stories artificially into trending topics," leaked documents show that Facebook does just that. Unless they are ashamed of the news they are pushing on people, I'm not sure why Facebook just didn't say from the beginning that it runs its trending news the same as a traditional news organization.

Leaked documents show how Facebook, now the biggest news distributor on the planet, relies on old-fashioned news values on top of its algorithms to determine what the hottest stories will be for the 1 billion people who visit the social network every day. The documents, given to the Guardian, come amid growing concerns over how Facebook decides what is news for its users. This week the company was accused of an editorial bias against conservative news organizations, prompting calls for a congressional inquiry from the US Senate commerce committee chair, John Thune.

 

[nvgrim]

I dont even think ive ever clicked on any of the BS that pops up on the right side of FB including the news and hot topics.

 

[Nytegard]

Are you suggesting we alter the fundamental neutrality of the Hooli Facebook search algorithm?

Well, I guess this answers that question.