Recommendation Algorithm Wants To Show You Something New

Several sources are reporting on a new metric that computer scientists are going after with respect to recommender systems — recommendation diversity. "In a paper that will be released by PNAS, a group of scientists are pushing the limits of recommendation systems, creating new algorithms that will make more tangential recommendations to users, which can help expand their interests, which will increase the longevity and utility of the recommendation system itself. Accuracy has long been the most prized measurement in recommending content, like movies, links, or music. However, computer scientists note that this type of system can narrow the field of interest for each user the more it is used. Improved accuracy can result in a strong filtering based on a user's interests, until the system can only recommend a small subset of all the content it has to offer."

Comments

Re:That's called an "contextual ad engine".

[wjousts]

The real issue is people's finite attention, I notice even with recommendation systems on amazon.com there is no way I could ever read everything they recommended to me and still have a life.

I think you're missing the point. The point is to try and sell you stuff. You're not obligated to read (or even buy) something just because Amazon recommended it.

Re:you knw where this really needs to be improved?

[carolfromoz]

Books. I am an avid reader of sci fi and fantasy, and man, most recommendations out there just BLOW.

Hey do you fancy being a personal recommendation engine for a minute? I love Neal Stephenson - who else should I check out?

I'm living in a non-english speaking country at the moment so rely on amazon for book buying, and I'm waayyyy out of touch.

Re:you knw where this really needs to be improved?

[Em Emalb]

Neil Gaimon has some good stuff. I actually like most everything I've read by Jim Butcher. Most are light and easy reads, but he writes pretty well. Those are time-passers.