GEM: How Algorithms Shape What You See

Strategies for Critically Engaging with Algorithms

Algorithms are powerful—they shape what you see online, from search results to your “For You Page” on social media. While they can make content feel personalized and convenient, they can also limit your perspective by showing you only what’s most popular or what matches your past behavior.

This section introduces strategies you can use to diversify your information feed—from using advanced search tools and non-algorithmic sources to navigating social media feeds more critically. The goal is to help you take back some control and make sure you’re seeing a fuller range of ideas, voices, and information.

1. Use Advanced Search Tools
   • Try using Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) in your next search.
     • Example: climate change AND policy will focus your results.
     • Example: climate change OR global warming will broaden your results.
   • Experiment with wildcards (like educat*) to capture variations (education, educator, educational).
   • Want to learn more? Watch tutorial videos on search strategies.

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   Check Multiple Search Engines and Databases
   • Run the same search on Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo. Compare what appears first.
   • Then, try the same search in a library database (like Academic Search Premier or JSTOR).
     • Explore our full searchable list of UNLV Libraries databases.
   • Ask yourself: What’s similar? What’s missing?

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   Explore Non-Algorithmic Sources
   • Search your library’s catalog for books or scholarly articles—it’s not algorithm-driven, so results depend only on your search terms.
   • Visit open repositories like the U.S. National Archives, Library of Congress, or Smithsonian Collections.
   • Find raw data through repositories like the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research.

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   Be Intentional About Diverse Perspectives
   • Check whether your sources all come from the same kind of outlet (e.g., mainstream news sites).
   • Intentionally seek out different perspectives.
     • Add keywords and search strings to bring in different perspectives. For example:
       • "climate change" AND Africa
       • STEM AND "disability representation"
       • healthcare AND ("immigrant communities" OR immigr*)
       • "AI bias" AND race
       • "renewable energy" OR "fossil fuels"
       • "LGBTQ+ history" AND archives
       • "urban planning" AND "environmental justice"
       • "mental health" AND "college students" AND marginalized
   • Look at who is publishing—what voices are represented, and which might be missing?

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   Navigate Social Media Critically
   • Pause on your FYP (For You Page): Notice what kinds of videos or posts dominate. Are they trending, entertaining, or persuasive? Who benefits from them being shown? Why are you getting these posts?
   • Seek beyond the FYP: Use search bars or hashtags to find other viewpoints instead of relying only on what the algorithm recommends.
   • Compare platforms: Look up the same topic on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Do they surface the same voices or different ones?
   • Check creators: Who is making the content? Are they experts, influencers, or advertisers? What signals of credibility (or bias) do you see?
   • Reflect on engagement: Algorithms reward clicks, likes, and watch time. Ask yourself—am I seeing this because it’s reliable or because it’s popular?