![[Pasted image 20260731122229.png|350]] - “the algorithm” has become shorthand to describe a complex system of policies, features, and data models that vary by platform. - [[lum, kristian and lazovich, tomo - 2023 - the myth of the algorithm]] describe several system layers: - **primary ranking models** → machine learning models that decide how relevant content is to you. - **peripheral ranking models** → model that decides how to order content, like for account recommendations or search rankings. - **auxiliary models** → models that create vectors for content or accounts to find similar or related content; often [[vectors in machine learning|vectors]] used as inputs from other models. - **manual components** → policies, limitations, and other documentation from the platform or business. - we interact with these layers in “surfaces of exposure”, like our main feeds, recommendation feeds, and search results. - in other words *the algorithm* is not a piece of code or a single lever determining what content to show you.