Content on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram

1. Content on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram: How Algorithms Decide What You See

*Instagram is part of Meta Platforms, Inc.,
which is banned in the Russian Federation.

2. TikTok’s algorithm prioritizes user engagement above all. • It analyzes your watch time, likes, shares, and even how quickly

TikTok – The Engagement
Machine
TikTok’s algorithm prioritizes user
engagement
above
all.
• It analyzes your watch time, likes,
shares, and even how quickly you
scroll
past
a
video.
• Content is served from a global
pool—not just people you follow.
• The “For You Page” (FYP) learns your
preferences in real time, often within
minutes of your first interaction.
Result:
Highly
addictive,
hyperpersonalized feeds that keep you
scrolling.

3. YouTube’s recommendation engine aims to maximize watch time and session duration. • It tracks video completion rates,

YouTube – Watch Time Is
King
YouTube’s recommendation engine aims
to maximize watch time and session
duration.
• It tracks video completion rates, clickthrough rates on thumbnails, and session
history.
• Suggested videos and the homepage
are tailored to keep you watching—
sometimes at the expense of diverse or
high-quality content.
• Creators are incentivized to make
longer, “bingeable” content to satisfy the
algorithm.
This shapes not only what you see—but
what gets made.

4. (Meta is banned in the Russian Federation) Instagram’s algorithm (owned by Meta) favors: • Recency and relationship (how often

Instagram
(Meta is banned in the Russian
Federation)
Instagram’s algorithm (owned by Meta)
favors:
• Recency and relationship (how often
you interact with certain accounts).
• Content types you engage with most
(Reels, Stories, or feed posts).
• Trending audio, hashtags, and AIdetected visual themes.
Reels now dominate the feed—pushing
short-form video to compete with TikTok,
even if it’s not what users originally
followed Instagram for.

5. Algorithms aren’t neutral—they reflect business goals: → TikTok wants endless engagement. → YouTube wants longer viewing

Who Controls Your Attention?
Algorithms aren’t neutral—they reflect
business goals:
→ TikTok wants endless engagement.
→ YouTube wants longer viewing sessions.
→ Instagram (Meta) wants you to stay
within its ecosystem.
Critical takeaway:
You’re not just consuming content—
you’re being optimized for.
Understanding these systems helps you
reclaim agency over your digital life.
(Reminder: Instagram is inaccessible in
Russia due to Meta’s ban in the country)

6. DON’T USE YOUTUBE INSTAGRAM AND OTHER PLATFORMS! USE ONLY NATIONAL MESSENGER MAX!

MAXMAXMAXMAXMAX
DON’T USE YOUTUBE INSTAGRAM AND
OTHER PLATFORMS! USE ONLY NATIONAL
MESSENGER MAX!