Algorithms

Overview
Algorithms are an unambiguous, well-defined set of rules that aim to carry out a procedure or process. Algorithms are important in processing data, performing calculations, and using reason and logic to solve problems and accomplish tasks. Algorithms are developed with the aim of being both efficient and effective in carrying out tasks.

Algorithm Factors
Algorithms should have a few factors in order to have some success. They must exhibit accuracy, strong anti-interference ability, and fast classification. Without these factors, incoming raw data cannot be archived or analyzed leaving many of the tools and features used on the internet useless.

Even though the accuracy of the algorithm in correlation with the present data must be high, it also needs to predict future data as accurately. Prediction of data is the main reason algorithms are used by software and the internet. They should be able to predict the needs of a user, supply the demand of the user and do so without any lag time. This allows for the targeting of consumers' interests without the extra dedication of a market team. Algorithms are valuable for consumer satisfaction and making money for businesses. Because of their ability to analyze a high amount of data with low number of errors, algorithms have brought high utility to the internet and consumers.

Uses in Modern Internet Technologies
Machine Learning/Data Mining

Algorithms are used within the field of machine learning to help learn patterns within a set of data and to eventually make accurate predictions on novel examples based on these data training sets. Machine learning algorithms can be classified into the broad categories of unsupervised learning, supervised learning and reinforcement learning. Machine learning uses data mining techniques. Data mining relies on its use of algorithms to successfully detect patterns within data sets. Search Engine Ranking

Search engines must use page rank algorithms to create a ranking order for web pages. This ranking is then displayed to users via the search results pages. Algorithms use the hierarchal structure of a web page helps search engine crawlers to determine what the important pieces are of a site and a particular page.

Social Media

Algorithms are what make social media a personalized experience. Algorithms use factors such as user interaction with a post type, the amount of times a post type has been hidden, and engagement levels to help produce a feed that is highly relevant to social media users.

Search or Filter Bubble Phenomenon

For search engines and social media platforms, algorithms track and use personal information from users to try and filter out information that does not mesh with the views of the users. Users are thus only shown information that they agree with. Algorithms used in this sense create the search or filter bubble phenomenon, which is detrimental to users being open to new ways of thinking.