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TikTok and the algorithmic transformation of social media publics: From social networks to social interest clusters

49
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March 1, 2026
Published Date

Research Abstract & Technology Focus

The rise of TikTok has sparked a debate on the consequences of algorithmic content curation for social experience. My thesis is that TikTok represents a second generation of social media, which differs from first-generation social media in the way users are exposed to content. While first-generation social media revolved around ‘networked publics’ formed by explicit interpersonal connections, second-generation social media introduces ‘clustered publics’. These are statistically constructed ‘neighbourhoods’ of users, in which people are brought together based on their past online behaviour and their similarity in interest and taste. Clustering users around shared interests has proven very effective in driving online engagement, leading other platforms to mimic TikTok, in what can be described as ‘TikTokification’. However, this transformation of online publics carries a series of problematic implications: the depersonalisation of online experience; a growing opacity of the structures of online communication; and the further subcultural fragmentation of an already divided digital public sphere.
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TikTok and the algorithmic transformation of social media publics: From social networks to social interest clusters

The rise of TikTok has sparked a debate on the consequences of algorithmic content curation for social experience. My thesis is that TikTok represents a second generation of social media, which dif...

news.ycombinator.com › comment
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Show HN: TikTok but for Scientific Papers

What I don't understand about these specialized social networks, that obviously won't exist in a few months as they won't get traction, is why not just use the existing social networks?Instead of s...

news.ycombinator.com › comment
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Show HN: TikTok but for Scientific Papers

Extremely interesting concept. I think it will be maybe hard to get a user base due to the scientific community itself not completely being "tik tok" people. Of course there are probably hundreds...

roipad.com › trend story
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As AI reshapes search, TikTok turns discovery into a performance pitch

The platform argues rising search activity is evidence that discovery is increasingly driving performance outcomes advertisers expect.

news.ycombinator.com › AI insight
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Show HN: Microlearning apps with a TikTok-style feed to beat doomscrolling

This product leverages established, high-engagement social media mechanics to address the persistent challenge of user retention and completion in educational technology. By adopting the 'addictive...

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This literature focuses on: The rise of TikTok has sparked a debate on the consequences of algorithmic content curation for social experience. My thesis is that TikTok represents a second generation of social media, which differs from first-generation social media in the way...

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Products like Honestly are bringing this to market. Their focus is: See what Reddit and TikTok honestly think about your product.

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Yes, highly correlated activity was mapped. An entry titled 'TikTok and the algorithmic transformation of social media publics: From social networks to social interest clusters' discusses this: The rise of TikTok has sparked a debate on the consequences of algorithmic content curation for social experience. My thesis is that TikTok represe...

How is the concept of 'TikTok and the algorithmic transformation of social media publics: From social networks to social interest clusters' being discussed by engineers on Hacker News?

Yes, highly correlated activity was mapped. An entry titled 'Show HN: TikTok but for Scientific Papers' discusses this: What I don't understand about these specialized social networks, that obviously won't exist in a few months as they won't get traction, is why not ...

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Yes, highly correlated activity was mapped. An entry titled 'As AI reshapes search, TikTok turns discovery into a performance pitch' discusses this: The platform argues rising search activity is evidence that discovery is increasingly driving performance outcomes advertisers expect.

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