The Algorithm Knows You Better Than Your Best Friend. Here’s Why

Be honest, have you ever thought about buying something, opened your phone, and boom there it is? Or watched one random video and suddenly your entire feed feels like it was curated just for you? That’s not a coincidence. That’s the algorithm doing what it does best: quietly studying you, learning your habits, and serving content that feels a little too accurate. 

At this point, it might know you better than your best friend, and honestly, that’s both impressive and slightly creepy.

Let’s break down why.

What “The Algorithm” Actually Is

First things first: the algorithm isn’t some mysterious creature living in your phone, silently judging your late-night scrolling habits. Nope, it’s actually a clever set of rules and calculations powered by data, patterns, and machine learning. Its job is simply to figure out what you like and give you more of it. Think of it as a super observant, slightly obsessive assistant who takes notes on everything you do online.

Every scroll, click, pause, or rewatch is like sending it a tiny breadcrumb. You don’t even have to “like” or comment for it to notice. Hesitate on a video for two seconds? That’s a “hmm… interesting” in algorithm-speak. Rewatch a clip about cooking hacks at 2 a.m.? Algorithm’s taking mental notes. The more it watches, the better it predicts what you’ll enjoy next, kind of like a digital best friend who knows your guilty pleasures before you do.

It Watches What You Do (Not What You Say)

Your best friend knows what you say you like. The algorithm knows what you actually do.

You might tell your friends you’re over that reality show, but if you keep watching clips? The algorithm noticed. It tracks:

• What you watch all the way through

• What you scroll past quickly

• What you save, share, or rewatch

• What you click on at 2 a.m.

No judgment. Just data.

 It Learns Fast. Really Fast

Unlike humans, algorithms don’t get tired, forget what they just saw, or get distracted by a notification. They’re basically the ultimate hyper-focused student who never sleeps. In seconds, they analyze millions of tiny data points from the videos you watch to the ones you skip, the posts you like to the ones you scroll past, and then adjust your feed faster than you can say “double-tap.”

Watch one cooking video? Suddenly, your feed is a full-on recipe channel. Engage with a productivity tip? Welcome to your “new you” era, complete with motivational quotes and planner hacks. Like a silly dog video? Congratulations, you’re now a permanent resident of Pet TikTok, with puppy clips on tap.

It’s not magic, it’s lightning-speed pattern recognition, and it’s obsessed with figuring out exactly what will keep your thumbs scrolling. The algorithm doesn’t just learn fast, it practically predicts your next move like a digital mind reader.

Why Your Feed Feels So Personal

Ever feel like your feed is reading your mind? That’s personalization at work.

Algorithms are designed to:

• Keep you engaged longer

• Show content similar to what you already like

• Predict what you’ll enjoy before you even search for it

That’s why your feed feels comfortable, familiar, and oddly accurate. It’s basically your digital personality in content form.

Fun Fact

Likes are nice, but they’re not everything. Algorithms care more about:

• Watch time

• Replays

• Saves

• Shares

• Comments

The longer you stay, the more it thinks, “Yes. This is the vibe.”

Is That A Good Thing Or A Little Too Much

Honestly? Both.

On the plus side, you get content you actually enjoy. On the flip side, algorithms can create echo chambers showing you more of the same and less variety. That’s why it’s important to occasionally break the pattern: follow new accounts, explore different topics, and remind the algorithm that you’re full of surprises.

Closing Remarks

Your best friend knows your favorite coffee order. The algorithm knows which videos make you laugh, which posts you linger on, and even the memes that make you roll your eyes, all when no one’s watching. A little creepy? Sure. Totally impressive? Absolutely.

The key isn’t to fear it, it’s to scroll smarter, play with it, and maybe even have a little fun seeing how well it predicts your next move. Because let’s be honest, whether you try to outsmart it or not, the algorithm probably already knows what you’re going to click next.

By Esther Namawanda