filter bubble

Customized results from search engines and social media that are geared to the individual based on that person's past preferences. A filter bubble means two people searching for the same thing receive a different sequence of results. Proponents say this delivers a better user experience, while opponents claim the information is always slanted and does not provide a sufficient variety of opinions.

Filter bubbles most assuredly have polarized America with regards to politics, as people's opinions are reinforced on a daily basis. It would seem there are very few social media platforms, radio stations or TV channels that report both sides of a story with equal intensity.

The Filter Bubble

Eli Pariser coined the term. In his 2011 book, he cited an earlier Google announcement that it would start using some 57 signals to determine the results it reports to users.