Monetization of algorithmic media in the context of behavioral economics
Abstract
The analysis of video content production from the perspective of profit generation raises the issue of algorithmic media that rely on the attention economy. At its core lies the management of human behavior through algorithms for profit. By considering the concept of "attention" as a category of audience interaction with media, the parameters of attention control are demonstrated. A hypothesis is substantiated, according to which the limited rationality of modern humans has delegated its choice to algorithms. Physiological and cognitive barriers have become a media resource that, through codes, transforms human choice into the monetization of its own business. The theoretical analysis of the study is built on the model of H. Simon and D. Broadbent, demonstrating the principle of filtering information flows within a system with limited bandwidth. This also proves the limited mechanics of human decision-making under the pressure of a large amount of information. The practical component of the study consists of analyzing modern literature on algorithmic media and creating a classification of monetization parameters. It is emphasized that the modern business model of the media industry does not operate on a linear principle of monetization, where classical audience distribution guaranteed advertising investments. The work examines platforms such as YouTube, Meta, Douyin, TikTok, Pinterest, and Netflix, which develop according to the principle of attention distribution and exercise control over the automated behavior of their audiences. Four strategies for controlling the behavior of media product consumers are identified: the quantitative-temporal dimension, engagement, digital content tags, and the algorithmic logic of the illusion of choice. It is concluded that passive content consumption and critical perception of information are being replaced by managed automated pressure, where the viewer's attention becomes a convertible currency that ensures monetization.
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