The Power Struggle of Social Media Engagement

Breaking Free: Reclaiming Visibility and Voice from the Algorithmic Gatekeeping. aka F**ck the algorithm.

So, I have an account with about 20 followers on BlueSky, and I generate some engagement on almost every post. In stark contrast, I have another account on X/Twitter that has over 2000 followers, yet 99% of the time, it feels like I’m talking to the void. My impressions hover around 30, which means roughly 30 people see my tweets—about 1.5% of my followers.

To increase these impressions, there’s a well-known requirement: purchase the blue Twitter checkmark and the premium or pro subscription. I’ve seen posts from people claiming that impressions on LinkedIn drastically improve once you go premium, but since I don’t have it, I can’t really say for sure.

It’s all quite crazy—bananas, really. On platforms like Mastodon or the Fediverse, 100% of my followers receive my posts in their feeds. This level of control that social networks hold over their algorithms feels like gatekeeping. They are essentially restricting access to their algorithms, creating walled gardens that control what we see.

They wield enormous power, controlling the infrastructure and influencing visibility. It’s astonishing how these algorithms dictate the reach of content on centralized platforms. Freedom of speech, not of reach. The notion that your reach—something inherently tied to the audience you’ve worked hard to cultivate—hinges on paying for premium features feels like a tax on digital self-expression. This gatekeeping discourages genuine engagement, creating a pay-to-play ecosystem that often sidelines smaller creators in favor of monetization over meaningful connections.

What are my options now? Do I really need to pay just to get my voice out there? Heck not! This is one of the reasons I am creating vocalcat. It really started as a personal tool, but I am working to get others benefit of it. Small creators need the tools to battle these algorithms without compromising their unique voices or the subjects they are passionate about.

How many people find themselves talking about things they don’t truly care about or feel pressured to create engaging memes and videos just to garner attention, while their high-effort, thought-provoking posts get minimal likes? Yes, some of this is on us as consumers, as we sometimes prioritize entertainment. But when we give control of what we want to see and what we value over to the profit-driven algorithms, we ultimately lose a crucial battle.

TLDR;

In this digital age, it’s essential for creators to reclaim their power. We need to explore alternatives that allow for genuine expression and connection. Let’s not allow algorithms to define our worth.

Join the fediverse/mastodon, be yourself, also visit VocalCat website and register for the beta, help me so we can thrive without the constraints of traditional social media algorithms. You will find your tribe. Keep going.