NYT
Risks for Clicks: Why Online Influencers Push Shock Content
Monday, September 14, 2026
Social media creators produce shock content to increase engagement and audience growth on platforms where algorithmic systems reward high interaction rates. The practice reflects how platform monetization structures incentivize creators to generate content that attracts views and shares.
Original reporting: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/12/us/influencers-social-media-algorithm.html
