Every day, algorithms quietly decide what news, opinions, and images appear in front of you.Every day, algorithms quietly decide what news, opinions, and images appear in front of you. This book examines how these automated systems select and rank information, and what that means for the way you understand the world. You will learn how recommendation engines work, why they tend to reinforce existing beliefs, and how personalized feeds can narrow rather than broaden your perspective. The book also looks at the economic and technical reasons behind these designs, and offers practical ways to recognize algorithmic influence in your daily media use. Generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence, this book draws on current research and publicly available information to provide a clear, accessible introduction to a subject that affects nearly everyone who uses digital platforms.Every day, algorithms quietly decide what news, opinions, and images appear in front of you. This book examines how these automated systems select and rank information, and what that means for the way you understand the world. You will learn how recommendation engines work, why they tend to reinforce existing beliefs, and how personalized feeds can narrow rather than broaden your perspective. The book also looks at the economic and technical reasons behind these designs, and offers practical ways to recognize algorithmic influence in your daily media use. Generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence, this book draws on current research and publicly available information to provide a clear, accessible introduction to a subject that affects nearly everyone who uses digital platforms.