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Fernando FierroSocial Media Feels Less Social
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Your friends' posts disappeared because social media feeds prioritize drama over connection.
Many of us have noticed a shift in what we see online thanks to ✨The Agorithm✨
The Algorithm now dictates our feeds and it has profound effects on our friendships, well-being, and work.
As a marketer, I sometimes feel like a drug dealer because my job is to give people their dopamine fix to keep them glued to their screens.
And oftentimes, I have to put myself in users’ shoes every day to see how the algorithms impact their experience, to see what content is popular. And I've got to admit it's extremely overwhelming.
The things we must do to please the algorithm so you see more of my content.
In 2016, Instagram said users missed 70% of their chronological feed, which led to the algorithmic approach. By 2024, Instagram shifted to prioritize views over likes, according to Adam Mosseri, Instagram's CEO. Facebook also started prioritizing creator posts and public content in the main feed in mid-2022 to compete with TikTok, which means you see fewer updates from friends.
A few years ago, social media was a place to catch up with friends, share moments, and see what everyone was up to.
But then the algorithms took over and platforms like YouTube and Instagram transitioned from chronological feeds to algorithm-driven ones, prioritizing content that generates the most engagement rather than what fosters genuine connection.
A 2023 stat showed that 66% of Instagram users discovered short-form videos through the algorithm, proving how it favors engaging formats over chronological posts from friends.
Simply put, platforms want to keep you glued to the screen and marketers heavily contribute to this.
Marketers and platforms discovered that bombarding users with sensational, provocative, or emotionally charged content keeps them engaged longer. The more time someone spends scrolling, the more ads they see.
For platforms and marketers, it’s a high-stakes game of attention.
A recent survey also found that 53% of B2C marketers are worried about changes to social media algorithms, mostly because of reduced organic reach and the pressure to optimize for engagement-driven feeds.
For regular users, the psychological impact of this shift is huge and rarely discussed. Instead of seeing updates from friends about their lives, we’re confronted with triggering posts that can leave us feeling drained or anxious. Our feeds have become a constant highlight reel of drama, sensationalism, and negativity, eroding the personal connections that once flourished there. Facebook’s algorithmic feeds now focus on triggering engagements, AI-curated highlights, and emotionally engaging content.
Many think social media is harmless and treat it as a casual way to pass time. But when was the last time you felt uplifted scrolling through your feed? Do you even remember what you saw yesterday? How much time did you lose?
Industry experts have mixed opinions. Some predict a shift toward platforms that prioritize genuine connections over engagement metrics. The rise of alternative networks focused on community and deeper interaction suggests that users are craving something more meaningful.
According to Sprout Social, audiences indeed want more authenticity, and platforms are focusing on real conversations as algorithms move away from AI-generated content and try to encourage genuine interactions, especially as engagement becomes harder to maintain. Social Media Today’s 2026 report also notes that major platforms like Facebook are testing chronological feeds alongside AI-driven ones because of EU regulatory pressure. This could help reduce algorithmic dominance and address the fatigue caused by optimized, triggering content.
One possible change is the development of algorithms that also learn from your emotional responses. I wouldn't be surprised to see platforms requesting access to your Health apps to track your stress levels and using your camera to track your eyeballs and review your facial expressions. Yikes.
Still, change won’t happen overnight. As long as traditional platforms continue to profit from sensationalism, the challenge will be finding a balance between engagement and meaningful connection.
Is a system that prioritizes clicks over connection possible? I don't think so to be honest. At least not for free.
Social media companies’ main goal is to maximize user engagement, which usually means more profit. The more you interact, the more they can monetize your attention.
Algorithms are designed to keep you scrolling and coming back, not to foster meaningful connections for you.
If you ever found yourself scrolling through endless posts only to feel exhausted afterward, that’s social media fatigue creeping in. The relentless cycle of curated content can leave you feeling more disconnected than ever, even as you spend hours online.
These platforms were meant to connect us, yet they often do the opposite, isolating users through algorithmic manipulation. The irony.
Right now, we have the power to curate our feeds by engaging with content we like or by staying away from the For You feeds. Most platforms offer a feed exclusively for the people you follow, some also offer the option to create curated lists.
Sadly, we can't fight the algorithm. As users in today's social media, we have to make an effort to take control of our digital environment.
And marketers should adapt to that, too.
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