The relationship between algorithms in advertising and consumerism
by Rushil Ladhawa
My research focused on learning about the relationship between algorithms in regard to advertising and resulting consumerism. My inspiration to pursue this topic further came from my own experience; I have been an avid social media user for many years and as of late have come to notice advertisements directly related to real-life conversations I’ve had. This caused me to wonder if such targeted advertisements, which I later learned are used in tandem with algorithms, actually increased a user’s interest in and likelihood of purchasing a product.
My research is targeted towards anyone who uses social media, regardless of age, culture, or any other such characteristic.
Framing the conversation:
Do the type of ads displayed on social media shape your view of perception of the platform
How do you feel consumerism has grown because of the sudden trend of shops inside apps?
To what extent do you think ads contribute to self-consciousness and insecurities?
What is your opinion on social media companies using algorithms to determine which advertisements are best suited to you?
To what extent do you feel seeing an advertisement for a product makes you less likely to buy it?
What is your opinion on recordings of you being used in social media algorithms?
Do you take into consideration the potential usage of your data in various forms when displaying information about you on various platforms?
How safe do you feel your personal information is given what has been discussed in this interview?’
our analysis
I noticed that the research I had conducted thus far was solely focused on negative aspects of social media and the extent to which people are affected by them; so, I decided that my prototype should place an emphasis on the more positive benefits that social media can bring. In particular, my design focused on highlighting the ability for social media to boost networking and connectivity on a global scale, promote increased access to information, and allow for some users to make positive changes in their lives.
