How’s “the Algorithm” Work? And What Is It?
Answering your most-asked questions with a crossword on the side and extra whipped cream on top.
How’s “the Algorithm” Work? And What Is It?
Read Time: 5 min 0 sec | Listen to Podcast | Watch on YouTube
─────── October 24, 2026 ───────
Happy Saturday!
Meta’s having a rough year in court. Nearly all of it comes back to two things: data mining and the algorithm. If you’re at all on the internet, you’ve probably heard of them, and maybe you’ve wondered, “What is that?”, “How does it work?”, and “Why’s everyone so concerned about it?”
Scroll along, folks. We’ll give you the 4-1-1.
New here? TPO Explains does a shallow dive into your most-asked questions every Saturday.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“God has so wired us that beauty generates powerful experiences of wonder. Wonder is one of God’s most precious gifts to us, especially when it leads us to its intended end—worship of our beautiful God.”
Steve DeWitt
BREWING QUESTIONS
WHAT YOU’RE ASKING
What’s the algorithm?
It’s the reason Pinterest keeps showing you sourdough videos.
It’s a set of rules (math 🤮) that social media platforms use to decide what shows up in your feed. It’s built on millions of data points that someone (probably a computer) analyzes to ask, “What are you most likely to watch next?” The more data it gets, the better its guesses, until it knows you better than your mama.
See the ingredients for different platforms’ algorithms.
How does it know?
It watches you… which is where data mining comes in. Data mining is diggin’ through vast amounts of data to find patterns and predict behavior.
On social media, the trove of data includes your comments, reactions, shares, views, and how long you linger on something. Then, the algorithm uses that info. It’s why when you watch one kind of video, you suddenly see three more like it; why Amazon suggests pants to go with that shirt in your cart; and how marketers figure out which ad will get someone like you to buy the product or click the link.
Is that… legal?
Mostly, yes.
There’s no comprehensive national privacy law, just a patchwork of state laws plus federal rules for things like kids’ data and health… Lots of organizations use mined data to make more informed decisions about their customers.
It’s behind feeds tailored to you, fraud alerts from your bank, and free apps.
So when’s it get sticky?
When your data’s used in ways you didn’t see coming or against your interests. Critics point to apps selling location data, prices that change based on who’s shopping, and feeds built to be addictive.
Companies push back on that last point, disputing that their apps are intentionally addictive.
Meta’s been in the headlines over the “didn’t see it coming” part.
Summarize the situation, please.
New Mexico’s case against Meta grew out of the Cambridge Analytica scandal. In 2014, a researcher used a Facebook personality quiz to collect data from the people who took it and from their friends who didn’t take it.
Facebook allowed the collection at the time but didn’t allow distribution to a third party. The researcher handed the data to political firm Cambridge Analytica for targeted ads. Facebook learned of it in 2015 but didn’t notify users for years.
New Mexico argued Facebook told users they controlled their own data when they really didn’t (and misled them about its content rules), and a jury agreed. This week, a judge ordered Meta to pay $25B. Meta, which called the case “a tax on speech,” plans to appeal.
Can I stop the miners?
You can take away some of their tools.
Check your app settings: Some platforms let you switch to a chronological feed (on Instagram, tap the logo and pick “Following”), adjust ad preferences, or tap “not interested.” If your phone asks whether an app can track you, you can say no.
The surest option is deleting your account, but even that isn’t foolproof.
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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Consumers and companies alike can use technology to gain power and wealth or bless others. Whatever technology you’re using, remember to use every resource at your disposal to honor God and love others.
“A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water. People will curse anyone who hoards grain, but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.”
Proverbs 11:25-26 (CSB) (read full passage)
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HOUSE BLEND
WHAT YOU’LL ENJOY
Solving this week’s sweet mini crossword puzzle!
Whipped Cream on Top: Counting down the days till Halloween…
This monthly project box that’s creating rhythms of one-on-one mother and daughter time. Created by TPO reader Angela with her daughter Kenna, Mom+Daughter Club delivers everything you need to create something together. You’ll learn what to do, step-by-step with videos from women artisans around the world, and you’ll have easy conversations with the girl across the table thanks to built-in talking prompts. The pre-teen years are precious and fleeting; protect your meaningful moments by starting your first project together!*
*This is a free promo for a TPO-reader-owned small biz. Have your own small business you want us to know about? Fill out this form!
WHAT YOU’VE BEAN CLICKING…
Top News Link: A video of Tesla’s demonstration of its new Roadster, a car that actually flies.
Top Christian Perspective: Excerpts of a prayer to pray in the face of hard headlines. Download and save it here.
Top Whipped Cream: A compilation of a good boy’s best lake jumps.
TAKE IT TO GO
WHAT WE’RE RECOMMENDING
What’s Made My Post-Shower Routine Simple
Gray Toad Tallow*
When my 9-5 is interpreting complicated headlines, I want my 5-9 to be simple: no second-guessing ingredients in my products like I do with news sources. That’s why Gray Toad Tallow is a countertop staple.
Their ingredient lists are simple (check ‘em out), but nothing has elevated my post-shower moisturizing routine more. Their hydrating tallow balm (sandalwood & vanilla is my fav) is naturally high in vitamins and free from nasty ingredients, so my skin feels good and looks sleek.
From moisturizing balms to soaps and candles, they’ve got you covered (literally) from head to toe. Use code TPO15 for 15% off every order.
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*From our partners
WHAT WE’RE PRAYING
Prayer “For the Launch of New Technology” from TPO’s book Praying the News
God Our Creator, You are the Great Inventor of Everything, the only one who creates out of nothing things that did not exist before; who speaks, and the universe bursts into being to do Your bidding. Our most impressive creative acts are just a rearranging of Your handiwork, an imitation of Your sacred ordering.
O Divine Orderer, teach us our place in Your kingdom’s pattern. Direct our use of technology to build up others and point to Your good design. May we seek in every work to reflect You, never to rival You, Our Matchless King of Creation. Amen.
LEARN WITH US
Each week, we do the deep shallow dive so that you don’t have to. We bring what we learn not only to this email, but we sit down and talk about it, too. Check out this week’s episode of TPO Explains... just click on the episode below.
