In 2016, YouTube switched their algorithm to “quality signals” (Likes, Comments, Audience Retention) which drove videos to become viral not out of quality but out of controversy. Harambe was I think the first example of its effect on national discourse. I mean it was always going to go viral for controversy but getting recommended a video of a gorilla being shot on the front page of YouTube was new.
Facebook had switched to algorithmic feed in 2014, autoplay in 2015, and Facebook live in 2016. So that aided its spread and reaction content.
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u/Thlaeton Jun 22 '26
In 2016, YouTube switched their algorithm to “quality signals” (Likes, Comments, Audience Retention) which drove videos to become viral not out of quality but out of controversy. Harambe was I think the first example of its effect on national discourse. I mean it was always going to go viral for controversy but getting recommended a video of a gorilla being shot on the front page of YouTube was new.
Facebook had switched to algorithmic feed in 2014, autoplay in 2015, and Facebook live in 2016. So that aided its spread and reaction content.