Twitter has posted on GitHub part of the source code for its recommendation algorithm that drives tweets into the ‘For you’ tab.
Most of the recommendation algorithm will be made open source today. The rest will follow.
Acid test is that independent third parties should be able to determine, with reasonable accuracy, what will probably be shown to users.
No doubt, many embarrassing issues will be… https://t.co/41U4oexIev
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 31, 2023
Owner of the social network Elon Musk warned that the source code may appear “offensive” and pledged to fix the bugs “as soon as possible.”
Elon Musk’s tweet promotion
In the first hours after the source code was published, enthusiasts spotted variables that likely boosted Musk’s tweets in the feed for all users.
3. Twitter identified 4 different user groups to track & compare how often their tweets are being impressed to users:
◆ Power users
◆ Democrat users
◆ Republican users
◆ @elonmuskSource → https://t.co/SvYxGuMpLp pic.twitter.com/BoUOYTrP5o
— Steven Tey (@steventey) March 31, 2023
It appears that the algorithm compared how the tweets of the social network’s owner, Republicans and Democrats spread. However, from the code it is not clear whether this refers only to politicians or to all supporters of both parties.
When Musk was asked about this aspect in the audio room, he said:
“I agree that this should not be there … this certainly should not divide people into Republicans and Democrats; it doesn’t make sense.”
Later, a Twitter engineer explained that the categories were intended “solely for tracking statistics and have nothing to do with the algorithm.” In his words, this was necessary to “ensure impartiality toward all groups.” However, none of them explained why an entire category was devoted to Musk.
“I think this is strange. … This was the first time I learned about this,” — the billionaire said.
The audio room ended less than a minute after the discussion.
Tweet rankings
The source code contains a weighting of actions with content that affects which tweets appear in the ‘For you’ feed. It emerged that the algorithm places the greatest weight on likes — 30 points. Next come retweets — 20 points. Twitter Blue subscribers can receive from two to four points.
The ‘For you’ feed also shows more posts from the Close Circle and posts with photos or videos.
Tweets that are empty or contain only a link are ranked lower.
Ukraine Crisis and elections
Users who studied the files found strings relating to the “Ukraine Crisis” (UkraineCrisisTopic). This category is in the “safety labeling” section and sits alongside topics such as misinformation, bullying and content for adults.
Due to the lack of comments on the code, it is not possible to say in which cases these labels are applied. Judging by their content, they may affect the overall tweet ranking.
Similar labels were used during elections in Brazil, the United States, the Philippines and France, as well as in relation to the coronavirus vaccine. At present they are marked as “deprecated”.
Opening of the source code of the recommendation algorithm was one of Musk’s main promises before buying Twitter. In May 2022, the billionaire accused the tweet ranking system of manipulating users.
In October 2022, Musk closed the deal to buy Twitter for $44 billion.
In March 2023 he announced the publication of the source code of the recommendation algorithm.