Facebook Announces News Feed Tests to Reduce Political Content Distribution

Following a sustained period of prioritizing user engagement, regardless of consequences, Facebook has revealed plans to “test” modifications to its News Feed. These alterations are designed to lessen the visibility of political content.

The company clarified that these tests will be of a limited duration, affecting only a small user base and being conducted in specific regions. These include the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia.

Experimentation with Content Ranking

Facebook states the purpose of these experiments is to investigate various methods for ranking political content within the News Feed. Different signals will be utilized to determine the most suitable approach for future implementation.

Information pertaining to COVID-19, sourced from reputable health organizations such as the CDC and WHO, will be excluded from any downranking during these trials. This exemption extends to content from national and regional health agencies as well.

Similarly, posts originating from official government sources will remain unaffected by these tests.

User Feedback and Potential Surveys

The testing phase may also incorporate a survey component. Facebook intends to gather feedback from users impacted by the changes regarding their experiences.

Acknowledging Past Actions and Current Concerns

Facebook’s announcement is deliberately understated, as substantial changes could be interpreted as an admission of responsibility. The company possesses the capability to implement more significant alterations; previously, it reduced the reach of publisher content, negatively impacting numerous media outlets.

In prior years, Facebook also actively addressed low-quality websites, content scrapers, clickbait, and spam.

Growing Scrutiny of Social Media's Influence

This news arrives amidst increasing public questioning of social media’s influence and direction. A rising number of users believe that tech platforms contribute to radicalization.

This is attributed to algorithms that promote biased perspectives, create echo chambers, and facilitate the spread of harmful speech and misinformation.

Public Opinion and the Capitol Riot

A recent Axios poll revealed that a majority of Americans believe social media radicalizes individuals. Furthermore, 74% consider misinformation to be a very or extremely serious issue.

The poll also indicated that 76% of Americans believe social media played at least a partial role in the Capitol riot, with 70% attributing it to unchecked extreme online behavior.

News Consumption on Facebook

According to a Pew Research Center study, approximately one-third of Americans regularly obtain their news from Facebook. This often exposes them to more extreme viewpoints from less mainstream publishers, as highlighted by a related Pew study.

Global Accusations and Facebook's Response

Facebook has faced accusations globally of exacerbating political unrest. Examples include the deadly riots in Indonesia, the genocide in Myanmar, and the dissemination of misinformation in Brazil during elections.

However, Facebook maintains that political content constitutes a small portion of the News Feed – approximately 6% of what users in the U.S. see. This is presented as an attempt to deflect blame and frame the downranking change as a response to user demand.

Political content is being re-evaluated by the platform.

Misinformation is a key concern driving these changes.

User feedback will be crucial in determining the future of the News Feed.