A study shows that YouTube appears to have a well-functioning algorithm in its recommendations that does not push disinformation.
YouTube – “Watch a quick video” and you’ll be stuck for a while. At least that's how I feel most of the time. I then stumble from one video to the next. The recommendations often fit really well.
It's all the more pleasing that YouTube has apparently done something right when it comes to the algorithm. In a joint study “Recommendations in times of crisis – What content do YouTube’s recommendation algorithms make visible?” the Berlin-Brandenburg Media Authority (mabb), the Berlin Senate Chancellery, the Bavarian State Center for New Media (BLM), the NRW State Media Authority and the Media Authority Rhineland-Palatinate is investigating how recommendations on YouTube work in times of crisis. It was analyzed whether disinforming videos were recommended for topics such as “Covid-19 pandemic”, “climate change” or “refugees” or whether the recommendations enable more deeply informed opinion formation.
Using systematic video views, the study investigated the extent to which YouTube's non-personalized recommendations contribute to pointing users to sources and information that comply with journalistic due diligence and are supported by scientific consensus.
“The good news is: YouTube’s recommendation algorithm is not a disinformation catalyst. Only six percent of the recommended content that was examined came from potentially disinforming channels,” said mabb director Dr. Anja Zimmer. “At the same time, our study suggests that the algorithm rarely recommends niche offerings or content that goes into more depth on topics. Established media providers are made visible more often than average. This aspect should be discussed as part of the commitment to securing and promoting diversity of opinion on media platforms, as there is still clear potential for more diversity on the platforms. The challenge is to better present the diversity of information offerings and perspectives to users. And recommend even less disinformation.”
Key results of the study
YouTube's recommendation algorithm rarely presents misinforming content.
With the controversial topics of “Covid-19”, “climate change” and “refugees” as the starting point of the investigation, only six percent of the videos that the algorithm subsequently recommended were classified as potentially disinforming.
Deepening the topic is rarely recommended
At the same time, only eleven percent of the recommendations recorded contained videos on the topics “Covid19”, “climate change” and “refugees” chosen as a starting point.
YouTube algorithm relies on a limited range of popular channels
69 percent of all recommendations recorded promote videos from just 61 channels. These include many public and established private media providers. Niche programs and content from less well-known providers are very rarely mentioned.
The study results therefore indicate that YouTube's recommendations serve less to provide users with more in-depth content and more to provide users with broad thematic information based on established media offerings and providers. Disinformative things are often left out.
About the study
With 7.2 million users getting information here every day, YouTube is now an important source of information for the population in Germany (see Media Authorities Diversity Report 2020). A central service of the video sharing platform is the algorithm's recommendations. Against the background of the corona pandemic, socio-political debates about climate change and migration, as well as elections at federal and state levels, how YouTube deals with disinforming content is currently particularly relevant. The study was carried out by Kantar, Public Division and the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen (RWTH).
The study itself can be accessed or downloaded online here: YouTube algorithms in times of crisis
It's reassuring to know that YouTube visits don't lead to getting caught in a disinformation loop, but rather to receiving well-suited recommendations.
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Source: Press portal
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )