Interest Graphs
2. Exploring Your Digital Likes and Dislikes
Now, let's shift our focus to interest graphs. Forget who you know; this is about what you like. An interest graph maps connections between people and things — their interests, hobbies, favorite brands, content they consume, and pretty much anything else they show an affinity for online. This is all about content you consume, pages you follow, products you search for. The keyword here, and its part of speech is a noun, is passion.
Interest graphs don't care if you're besties with someone who loves knitting; they only care if you love knitting. They're used by platforms like Pinterest, YouTube, and even Google to understand your individual preferences and tailor content recommendations accordingly. Have you ever noticed how YouTube always seems to recommend videos you want to watch even if you yourself didn't know that existed? Thats all thanks to interest graphs.
Think of an interest graph as your personal digital profile of everything you're passionate about. It's a constantly evolving tapestry of your likes, dislikes, and curiosities. This information is incredibly valuable for platforms because it allows them to deliver highly targeted and personalized experiences, keeping you engaged and coming back for more.
Imagine searching for "best hiking boots" and then suddenly seeing ads for hiking trails, outdoor gear, and nature photography workshops. That's the interest graph hard at work, connecting your search query to relevant content and products. The better a platform understands your interests, the more likely it is to provide you with valuable and engaging experiences.