Instagram algorithm pushes users toward antisemitic content, study finds

A new study by the Combat Antisemitism Movement, a nonprofit coalition that describes itself as leading "a united front against Jew hatred," found that Instagram's recommendation system exposes regular users to antisemitic content. 

This exposure happens even after users engage only with mainstream self-improvement materials, such as wellness, biohacking, fitness and discipline-related content. 

The study created two accounts, one interested in wellness and a second that was interested in fitness. Both personas were guided toward explicit antisemitic content, according to the study.

“You don’t have to search for antisemitic content to find it on Instagram. Our findings show that users engaging with normal self-improvement posts are algorithmically guided toward virulent antisemitic narratives and conspiracy theories," ARC Research Associate Oliver Marks said in a statement.