To offer relevant and quality content to its users, Artifact is inspired by the algorithmic model of TikTok.
More than four years after having slammed the door of Facebook, the duo Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger are back in action. The two co-founders of Instagram present a new social network with Artifact, contraction of the terms articles, facts and artificial intelligence.
Halfway between TikTok, Google Reader and Twitter, the application uses machine learning to offer its users a flow of personalized information, from major press sites and more confidential platforms. On first use, Artifact opens to a popular news feed. Then just select an article and the app will suggest new, similar content, much like what TikTok does with “For You” videos. The more articles the user consumes through Artifact, the better the algorithm, based on the time spent reading content rather than the number of clicks and reactions, improves.
According to the newsletter Platformerin addition to this personalized feed, Artifact is testing two other functionalities intended to bring the social dimension of the network: a feed of articles posted and commented on by the users followed, and a private messaging service allowing Internet users to exchange directly about common news.
Partial impartiality
Regarding the quality of the content, Systrom and Krieger are clear: Artifact will include press of all opinions, left and right. However, there is no question of succumbing to false information. The duo makes no secret of its desire to include only trusted publishers, press companies and blogs in its application, and reserves the right to delete any post taken to disclose false news or other conspiratorial subjects.
However, one can wonder about the limits of the Artifact system as presented today. Seeking and praising neutrality at all costs when the algorithm is made to abound in the direction of Internet users leaves circumspect.
Test phase and uncertain business model
Still under development, Artifact is currently accessible by invitation, on Android and iOS. Everybody can register on the waiting list using a valid phone number to access the private beta.
It is not yet clear which business model Systrom and Krieger plan to adopt for their new project. Advertising is obviously considered, and the two entrepreneurs do not rule out a system of revenue sharing between the application and the aggregate publishers. A form of give-and-take partnership, where press platforms would donate part of the revenue generated by traffic from Artifact.
We will also have to wait to see how Artifact manages to stand out from competitors already well established in the personalized news sector, such as Flipboard or SmartNews.
Platformer
