by Murphy Hopkins-Hubbard, Founder of Stamp
Recently, I’ve found myself asking what sort of personality does my algorithm have? We don’t often think of algorithms as having personalities but, in a way, they do. They decide what shows up in our feeds, what gets boosted, and what disappears into the void. They’re trained on our watch time, our clicks, and our shares – which means everything they learn is from us, all the time. Does this mean collectively we are shaping the algorithm’s personality?
This is why some types of content feel almost impossible to avoid. Lately, you’ve probably noticed how self-diagnosis has become one of those unstoppable waves online. Whether it’s ADHD, autism, anxiety, or depression, millions of people are first meeting their “maybe diagnoses” through TikTok reels or Instagram carousels, not doctors’ offices.
Of course for some, that’s been a lifeline: finding language for feelings they couldn’t explain, discovering communities that understand them, and feeling seen in a way they never had before. But there’s a flip side. When algorithms reward quick hits and sweeping statements, “10 signs you definitely have ADHD!” – the nuance often gets lost. A thoughtful post about managing burnout might not trend, but a snappy, dramatic listicle will. And so the cycle repeats..
This isn’t about blaming creators. Most people who share these experiences are doing it with kindness, honesty, and a real desire to connect. The issue is how our platforms are set up; they often amplify what’s catchy, not what’s careful.
So how do we help our algorithms become a little kinder? A few ideas:
- Add context. If you’re talking about mental health or identity, a line about your own experience (“this is just what it looks like for me”) can go a long way.
- Share resources. Linking to professionals, hotlines, or further reading gives your audience tools to go deeper than your post.
- Model balance. Not every post has to have an answer. Sometimes showing uncertainty, or multiple perspectives, creates safer spaces.
- Think about who’s listening. Your audience might include people in a vulnerable moment. Imagine how they’ll feel after consuming your content.
At the end of the day, algorithms reflect what we feed them. If we linger on sensationalism, they’ll serve us more. If we reward nuance, they’ll eventually catch up. We can’t fully control what goes viral, but we can shape what we contribute to the stream.
Self-diagnosis content isn’t inherently harmful. It can spark self-awareness, belonging, even healing. The challenge is making sure that our feeds don’t reduce complex human experiences into bite-sized, click-driven identities.
So maybe the real question isn’t, what do algorithms want? It’s: what kind of culture do we want them to reflect back to us?
