How Social Media Algorithms Shape The News We See: Understanding Algorithmic News Curation

Introduction

In the age of smartphones, endless scrolling, and bite-sized updates, the way we receive news has shifted dramatically. At the centre of that shift are social media algorithms—those vast, mostly invisible sets of rules that decide which posts, articles and updates appear in our news feeds. These algorithms do more than decide what you see; they help shape how you perceive the world. By influencing news feed personalization, reinforcing filter bubbles, and embedding algorithmic bias into digital news distribution, these mechanisms have become powerful players in modern journalism and democracy.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into how social media algorithms work, how they shape the news we see, the consequences for individuals and society, and what can be done to regain a healthier relationship with algorithmically mediated news.

What are Social Media Algorithms?

To understand how they shape the news we see, we need a clear-eyed account of what we mean by social media algorithms. Broadly speaking: a social media algorithm is a computational system that selects and orders content in a user’s feed based on many signals—past behaviours, connections, time spent, engagement, and more. StoryChief

Key functions

Ranking and filtering: Platforms decide which posts to show you–and in what order.
Personalisation: Based on your likes, shares, clicks, dwell time, and friend network, the system tunes what you see. GIJN
Engagement maximization: Many algorithms favor content likely to elicit reactions, shares, comments, because that keeps users glued to the platform. StoryChief
Feedback loops: Your behavior influences what you will see next, which influences your behavior again, and so on—a self-reinforcing cycle. PMC

Why this matters for news

When you use a social platform to get updates, current events, or journalistic stories, what you see is not simply everything published—what you see is what the algorithm decides is relevant for you. This means that social media algorithms shape the news we see not just by selecting items but by influencing visibility, prominence and reach.

How Social Media Algorithms Shape the News We See

Here we move into the heart of the matter: the mechanisms and pathways through which social media algorithms shape the news we see.

1. News Feed Personalization

Because of the logic of personalisation, each user’s experience is unique. The algorithm picks and chooses content based on your past behaviour. That means two people following the same news outlet might see very different stories. This is a first major way social media algorithms shape the news we see.

2. Filter Bubbles and Echo Chambers

The term filter bubble refers to the phenomenon where algorithms funnel users into information silos—content that affirms their existing views, while non-conforming views become less visible. KSU Digital Commons
By doing so, social media algorithms shape the news we see by limiting diversity of viewpoints. Echo chambers reinforce this: you see what your network and the algorithm believe you’ll engage with, which tends to reflect your prior beliefs.

3. Algorithmic Bias and Prioritisation

Algorithms are not neutral. They carry biases—whether in design, data, or business logic. Some posts are boosted because they generate outrage, clicks, or engagement, even if they are less accurate. For example, the study on the “For You” feed of TikTok found a four-fold increase in misogynistic content over five days. University College London
Thus, social media algorithms shape the news we see by elevating sensational or emotionally charged content over measured, factual pieces.

4. Amplification of Misinformation

Because of the engagement logic and feedback loops, misleading or false stories can spread rapidly. The system rewards what gets attention, often disregarding truth or nuance. Research shows that algorithms contribute to the spread of misinformation and polarizing content. Queens University Library+1
This is another channel through which social media algorithms shape the news we see—by enabling the rapid spread of low-credibility content.

5. Impact on News Organisations and Journalism

News producers no longer only compete for print readers or broadcast audiences; they now must compete for algorithmic visibility. Platforms mediate distribution. For example, the article “The Impact of Social Media Algorithms on Journalism” describes how algorithms are reshaping journalism’s business model, editorial choices and distribution. Grit Daily News
Hence, social media algorithms shape the news we see by influencing which stories news organizations invest in (those likely to perform) and how those stories reach audiences.

6. Shaping Public Discourse & Democracy

Because news dissemination is mediated by algorithms, the public sphere is affected. Polarization, fragmentation of audiences, and selective exposure to news all increase. For example, a study found that social media algorithms amplify content consistent with users’ existing beliefs and suppress divergent content, thus contributing to political polarization. ResearchGate
Thus, social media algorithms shape the news we see and thereby influence public opinion, debate and democratic processes.

Real-World Examples

Let’s anchor this more concretely.

On TikTok: A study found that accounts designed to reflect teenage boy archetypes were fed increasing misogynistic content over just five days, because the algorithm shifted to push anger and blame directed at women. University College London
In journalism: The article in Grit Daily explains how platform algorithms priorities virality over accuracy and how news organizations must adjust their strategies. Grit Daily News
On culture and identity: Research shows teens believe the “For You” curated feed is essentially mirroring them—but in fact the feed is a mediated mirror shaped by algorithmic logic, which can distort self-image and world-view. The Cincinnati Herald

These examples illustrate how social media algorithms shape the news we see, ranging from ideological content to self-identity and journalism models.

The Consequences: Why This Matters

Understanding how social media algorithms shape the news we see isn’t just academic—it has real consequences.

Polarization and Fragmentation

When algorithms reinforce views you already hold, we gravitate toward homogeneous networks. That reduces exposure to dissenting viewpoints, increasing division. The study on political polarization I cited above supports this. ResearchGate

Distorted Perceptions of Reality

Since your feed is personalized and filtered, you may come to believe that your perspective is more widely shared or more accurate than it is. Also, because algorithmic logic favors emotional or shocking content, you may think the world is more extreme than it is. Scientific American

Impact on Journalism and News Quality

News outlets feel pressure to create content that will perform well on algorithmic platforms. This can drive sensationalism, clickbait, and priorities engagement over substance. The Grit Daily piece explains this shift. Grit Daily News

Effects on Individual Well-Being

Teens and young people are especially vulnerable: personalized feeds give the impression of “this is me” but in fact may steer them into harmful, narrow, or extreme content. The teen study shows how personalized algorithmic content fosters self-image distortion. The Cincinnati Herald
Additionally, algorithmic amplification of harmful content (misogyny, self-harm, extremist ideas) has been documented. University College London

Democracy, Trust, and News Literacy

The fact that algorithms mediate news distribution raises questions about transparency, accountability and public trust. If we don’t know how the algorithms operate (and often we don’t), then the very infrastructure of our information ecosystem is hidden. The Guide to Investigating Social Media Algorithms points this out. GIJN

Why It Happens: Underlying Drivers

Let’s step back and ask: Why do social media algorithms shape the news we see in this way? What drives the logic behind them?

Business Incentives

Platforms are motivated to keep you on the site as long as possible. Longer time = more ad impressions = more revenue. To do that, they use engagement-optimizing algorithms. That logic drives news feed personalization toward the most engaging (not necessarily the most accurate) content.

Data and Personalisation

Mass personalization is enabled by collecting behavioral data—what you click, how long you dwell, who you follow—and feeding that into models to estimate what you’ll like next. The Queens University library article explains how this contributes to micro-targeting and manipulation of attention. Queens University Library

Complexity and Opacity

Algorithms are often proprietary black boxes. That means we may not know the rules by which content is selected, ranked, or hidden. Investigative journalism shows how opaque the models are. GI J N

Social Drivers and Feedback Loops

Algorithms don’t exist in a vacuum—they build on underlying social phenomena (group identity, moral outrage, in-group/out-group dynamics). The article “Social Drivers and Algorithmic Mechanisms on Digital Media” discusses how algorithms reinforce existing social drivers. PMC

Speed of Distribution

Digital platforms allow news to spread much faster than traditional media. Algorithms emphasise speed and virality—so the news we see tends toward what travels fastest.

Thus, the combination of business models, data dynamics, social drivers, and speed creates an environment in which social media algorithms shape the news we see very powerfully.

Strategies to Mitigate the Influence

If you’re feeling the weight of this—and you should!—there are strategies both at the individual level and the systemic level to reduce the distortive effects of social media algorithms on news.

At the Individual Level: What You Can Do

Be aware of your feed’s logic: Recognise that your news feed is not neutral. Knowing that helps you stay critical of what you see.
Diversify your sources: Subscribe or follow news outlets outside your usual bubble. Visit direct news sites rather than relying only on curated feeds.
Use chronological feeds where available: Many platforms offer “latest” or chronological feed options rather than algorithmic ranking. This gives more control.
Limit engagement-driven behaviour: If your clicks and shares drive what you see next, be mindful of the behavioural feedback loop.
Practice news-literacy habits: Question sensational headlines, check credibility of sources, and be mindful of emotionally loaded content.
Schedule deliberate “news breaks”: Instead of passive scrolling, allocate time to actively seek news, reflect, and cross-check.

At the Systemic Level: What We Should Advocate

Transparency of algorithms: Push for more information about how ranking, filtering, and recommendation work on platforms. The GIJN guide emphasizes this need. GIJN
Regulation and oversight: Policymakers can require platforms to assess and report impacts of their algorithms on news distribution, democracy and well-being.
Alternative distribution models: Media organisations could explore direct-to-community models, subscription-based news, or platform-agnostic distribution.
Algorithmic design for health-not just engagement: We can argue for algorithms that reward quality, credibility and diversity—not only clicks. The Bipartisan Policy Centre’s paper on algorithm trade-offs explores how algorithmic systems can be designed for flourishing rather than profit. Bipartisan Policy Center
Support media literacy and education: Especially for younger users, help them understand how algorithmically curated news works and what its effects are.

Looking Ahead: What the Future Might Hold

Because the relationships among platforms, algorithms, news and society are dynamic, it’s worth thinking about how the situation may evolve.

More Sophisticated Algorithms

As artificial intelligence advances, social media algorithms will likely become even better at predicting what users want (and what they will click). That means personalization may deepen—but so might the risk of hidden bias, manipulation, and unseen curation.

Greater Regulatory Pressure

With rising awareness of the harm that can come from algorithmic curation (misinformation, polarization, youth mental health), we may see stronger legal frameworks, audits, and transparency requirements. This may alter how social media algorithms shape the news we see.

Rise of Alternative Platforms

Users may seek platforms that provide different curation logics—less driven by engagement, more by credibility, or by community control. That could shift distribution away from the dominant platforms.

News Organisations Adaptation

Newsrooms will continue adapting—either by optimizing for algorithmic visibility (which has both upsides and downsides) or by emphasizing direct community-distribution strategies. How news organizations negotiate this will shape the news we see.

User Empowerment Tools

We may see tools that allow users to adjust feed-algorithms, turn off some personalization, or choose “less algorithmic” modes. If these become mainstream, the shaping effect of social media algorithms on news could become more transparent and controllable.

Conclusion

The phrase social media algorithms shape the news we see is not hyperbole—it captures a profound shift in how information is selected, prioritized and consumed. Through news feed personalization, filter bubbles, algorithmic bias, amplification of sensational content, and the mediation of journalism by platforms, algorithms hold significant sway over our information ecosystem.

Recognising this influence is the first step toward reclaiming control—both individually and socially. By diversifying our sources, questioning what we see, advocating for transparency, and supporting media literacy, we can mitigate the distortive effects of algorithmic news curation. At the same time, society must engage with the broader questions: who designs the algorithms, whose values are baked into them, and how can they be aligned with democratic, informed, and healthy public discourse?

In an era where attention is currency and algorithmic loops are ever-present, the news we see is rarely simply what exists—it’s what the algorithm lets us see. And because of that, we must look behind the screen, understand the machinery, and engage actively with our information diet.

ByJarrett Adwell