Why You’re Seeing This Content: Understanding Social Algorithms and Online Visibility

Let’s get this out of the way: If you’re wondering why you’re seeing this crap, you’re not alone—and I’d love to explain.

If this is the first time you’ve stumbled across one of my posts and you don’t think it’s crap, then hey, welcome! There’s a good chance you like pets and animals, Canadian content, or maybe you’re queer or an ally to queer folks. That means the algorithm (aka the gremlin that lives in the back of your favourite social platform) is doing its job.

Picture this gremlin watching everything you click, like, or comment on. It sees you loving all that pet content, giggling at rainbow memes, and pausing on something proudly Canadian. The gremlin says, “Ah-ha! You like this stuff. Let me serve you up more.” And boom—here I am in your feed. If that made you happy, then the gremlin pats itself on the back and gets back to work.

Now, if you do think this is crap, the gremlin’s probably a little confused. You might’ve hit a laughing emoji on a lesbian’s post, or left a spicy comment on a trans creator’s video. The gremlin doesn’t know your heart—it just sees interaction. So it assumes you’re interested in queer content and sends more your way. Not because it’s trying to turn you gay or something, but because its one job is to keep you scrolling. The longer you stay, the more ads it can serve you. Not this crap, but actual crap—tchotchkes, Cybertrucks—you get it!

So if you want to stop seeing this “crap,” here’s a pro tip: Stop being publicly homophobic or transphobic. Stop commenting hate. Stop engaging with queer content just to mock it. And the algorithm gremlin will stop offering it up to you.

But if you’re here because you do like this crap? Welcome. I hope it made you smile—and maybe even think a little.