Social networks and search engines determine for users which posts they should show and information on which sites to offer as a response to their search requests. Algorithms analyze our preferences - likes, reposts, comments - and on their basis form a special news feed for each account. This happens again and again. As a result, points of view gradually disappear from the tape, which we do not share.

So we find ourselves in the so-called information bubble or filter bubble (engl. - filter bubble). It is comfortable to stay in it, because opinions that are unpleasant for us practically do not penetrate there. Accordingly, and get out of these bubbles, no one particularly in a hurry.

Users find themselves in such information bubbles not only through the fault of algorithms. We ourselves unconsciously filter information, it is always more pleasant to communicate with like-minded people and read what confirms our views.

So, if a message appears in the news line with the opposite opinion, most likely, the user simply scrolls it, does not comment, repost or put it. The algorithm will remember this and the next time will not show posts from an uninteresting user account.

On the one hand, it is not so bad to receive such a personalized news line: most often it really corresponds to our interests. But in the end we fall into the trap: it begins to seem to us that everyone shares our opinion. In addition, when you receive information from the same sources, you can skip important news.

Search engines like Google, Yandex and Bing also store information about which links we opened earlier. They give out primarily articles on sites that we already know. Therefore, if two users enter the same query, the search results for them may be different.

How to get out of such an information bubble? You can reset the settings in search engines. They know our location, approximate age, gender and interests and are guided by them, choosing the results. It is worth deleting the search history and periodically clearing the cookies in the browser. To disable personalization, just log out of your account in the search engine or go through the incognito mode.

In social networks, you can subscribe to the pages of communities whose opinions you do not support, and for the sake of the variety of their positions. While this is the only way to fool algorithms. As a result, you will receive information from different sources and will be able to expand your horizon.

Source: DW.