Most ranking algorithms are "amplification algorithms"

· Bits and Bobs 5/26/25
  • Most ranking algorithms are "amplification algorithms"
    • They find small but consistent biases in the data that reveal human intent, and then amplify those biases to help scale insights to other users.
      • For example, high volition users, for the query [kumquat] are more likely to click to the image search tab, so you can save others users a click and show an image Onebox in the normal search results.
    • But these also tend to expand underlying trends into grotesque, overextended versions of themselves.
    • LLMs have the potential to supercharge this grotesqueness.

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