Filter bubble
Meaning
An intellectual isolation that occurs when algorithms selectively guess what information a user would like to see, based on their past online behavior.
Origin
The concept of the "filter bubble" was brought into sharp focus by internet activist Eli Pariser in his 2011 book, The Filter Bubble: What the Internet Is Hiding from You. Pariser noticed that personalized search results and social media feeds, while designed to make online experiences more relevant, were inadvertently creating isolated information environments. He argued that algorithms, by showing us more of what they think we want to see, effectively wall us off from dissenting opinions and new information, trapping us in a self-reinforcing bubble of our own making. His insightful observation quickly became a cornerstone in discussions about media bias and digital literacy in the algorithmic age.
Examples
- She realized her news feed was a filter bubble when she only saw articles confirming her own political views.
- To break out of the filter bubble, try actively seeking out diverse sources of information and perspectives online.