Rebroadcast Series: A Response to "Algorithm Culture" (+ the sure thing you can count on)

Today’s episode is not about disliking the social media algorithm or marketing platform algorithms. I know that many people have issues with algorithms, particularly Instagram’s algorithm, and trust me, I’ve done my fair share of complaining about it. However, this episode is about something much more sinister: the culture surrounding those algorithms and the widespread messaging that we must appeal to these algorithms or we are doomed. My issue is with the culture surrounding the algorithms – and the messaging that seems commonplace to appeal to the algorithm or don’t expect to get anywhere. This is not a positive or encouraging message. For too long, I let this message about the social media algorithm get to me. I allowed the idea that unless I work on the preferred schedule and create the preferred content in the preferred formats, I won’t be successful. And that is incorrect. My job is to share my message with YOU. If the algorithm wants to assist and make it more likely that you see my message, that’s great. Very helpful. But when I sit down to create things, I do it with YOU in mind, not the algorithm. I feel like we live in a world where the algorithm is the priority, not the human – that includes the human creating it and the human consuming it. Share your message. Share what you want to share. Share what you WANT TO CREATE. Just because your artwork or product doesn’t fit the Instagram aesthetic doesn’t mean it can’t connect to people there, and it certainly doesn’t mean you shouldn’t share it.   For full show notes and all the links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/170 For a full list of all Merripodcast episodes please visit merripodcast.com