'Copywriting' for our algo overlords

Yes, there is a dark side to social media.

It can definitely be used to generate more views and reads simply by repeating something that works over and over. But saying that it's done maliciously, is just malicious. Incompetent. Or ironically manipulative.

Yet in my own writing and experimentation online, it's become clear that the algos are looking to prioritize certain audience behaviors (like time on site or engagement).

As a writer, I can use certain formulas to make my words easier to:

• skim

• consume

• and grok.

that help people skim and pull them also work.

It's analagous to how copywriting relies on certain tropes and formulas for persuasion, or how good sonnets pack a punch with their last two lines.

While there is definitely luck is involved when trying to create content that goes viral, packaging your content matters too.