Definition
EdgeRank was the name of the algorithm originally used by Facebook to determine what content is displayed—and how high it appears—on users' News Feeds. In Facebook terminology, an "edge" is any action that happens within Facebook, such as likes, comments, shares, and even the act of uploading a photo or updating a status.
Key Aspects of EdgeRank
- Affinity Score: This part of the algorithm measures the user's relationship with the content creator. The more interaction (likes, comments, messages) a user has with a creator's content, the higher the affinity score, and the more likely content from that creator will appear in the user's feed.
- Edge Weight: Different types of edges carry different weights. For example, comments may carry more weight than likes because they take more effort and indicate higher user engagement with the content.
- Time Decay: The older the post, the less likely it is to appear in the News Feed. This aspect of the algorithm ensures that the content is timely and relevant.
Evolution of Facebook's Algorithm
While EdgeRank was the foundation of Facebook's News Feed algorithm, the company has significantly evolved its approach over the years. The term "EdgeRank" is now somewhat outdated, as Facebook uses a more complex machine learning algorithm that takes into account thousands of factors, not just the original three.
Current Factors Influencing Facebook's News Feed Algorithm
- Content Type: Users' preferences for types of content (e.g., video, photo, text) influence what they see.
- Interactions: Posts with more likes, comments, and shares are more likely to be displayed.
- Recency: Recent posts are more likely to appear than older ones, though not as strictly as under the original EdgeRank system.
- Relationships: Posts from friends and family, or from creators with whom the user frequently interacts, are prioritized.
- User Feedback: Direct user feedback collected through surveys and interactions helps tailor the News Feed to individual preferences.
Conclusion
While the term "EdgeRank" is no longer used by Facebook, understanding the principles behind it can still provide insight into how social media algorithms tend to prioritize and rank content. As Facebook's algorithm continues to evolve, staying informed about the latest changes and adapting content strategies accordingly remains crucial for anyone looking to maintain and grow their presence on the platform.
