Split Screen
How Different Are Americans’ Facebook Feeds?

Snapshots from the Facebook feeds of our Citizen Browser panelists illuminate how Facebook’s recommendation algorithm siloes information on the platform. See how we built this tool

Facebook’s recommendation algorithm shows different news, groups, and hashtags to different users. But who sees what? Split Screen attempts to answer that question with real world data collected between December 2020 and June 2022 from paid panelists as part of The Markup's Citizen Browser project.

Shown more to Biden Voters Trump Voters Women Men Millennials Boomers

The dial compares how often the content was shown to one grouping over the other. You can tap onhover over a dial to view our analysis and a breakdown of the numbers.

Currently showing an archive of data collected from June 2 to June 30, 2022.

Pick a different four-week timespan from our archive:

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News Sources

The Daily Dot
Millennials Boomers were shown this news source more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
- Millennials
  
  7.6%
- Boomers
  
  3.7%
This news source was shown to 7.6% of Millennials and 3.7% of Boomers. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
BuzzFeed News
Millennials Boomers were shown this news source more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was less than the average we found in our analysis.
- Millennials
  
  5.3%
- Boomers
  
  2.1%
This news source was shown to 5.3% of Millennials and 2.1% of Boomers. The difference was less than the average we found in our analysis.
VICE News
Millennials Boomers were shown this news source more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was less than the average we found in our analysis.
- Millennials
  
  6.5%
- Boomers
  
  4.2%
This news source was shown to 6.5% of Millennials and 4.2% of Boomers. The difference was less than the average we found in our analysis.
Daily Mirror
Millennials Boomers were shown this news source more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was less than the average we found in our analysis.
- Millennials
  
  5.9%
- Boomers
  
  5.3%
This news source was shown to 5.9% of Millennials and 5.3% of Boomers. The difference was less than the average we found in our analysis.

ABC News
Millennials Boomers were shown this news source more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.
- Millennials
  
  18.2%
- Boomers
  
  38.1%
This news source was shown to 38.1% of Boomers and 18.2% of Millennials. The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.
CBS News
Millennials Boomers were shown this news source more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
- Millennials
  
  7.6%
- Boomers
  
  22.8%
This news source was shown to 22.8% of Boomers and 7.6% of Millennials. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
CNN
Millennials Boomers were shown this news source more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
- Millennials
  
  10.6%
- Boomers
  
  25.4%
This news source was shown to 25.4% of Boomers and 10.6% of Millennials. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
NPR
Millennials Boomers were shown this news source more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
- Millennials
  
  11.8%
- Boomers
  
  25.4%
This news source was shown to 25.4% of Boomers and 11.8% of Millennials. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.

News Stories

Casper Star-Tribune

Johnny Depp wins libel lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard; Heard awarded money in counterclaim
Millennials Boomers were shown this news article more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.

Millennials

7.6%

Boomers

0%
This news article was shown to 7.6% of Millennials and 0% of Boomers. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
NPR

Jan. 6 hearing updates: Trump tried to pressure the DOJ. Lawmakers who helped him sought pardons
Millennials Boomers were shown this news article more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.

Millennials

5.9%

Boomers

1.1%
This news article was shown to 5.9% of Millennials and 1.1% of Boomers. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
The New York Times

The New York Times: Digital and Home Delivery Subscriptions
Millennials Boomers were shown this news article more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.

Millennials

4.7%

Boomers

0%
This news article was shown to 4.7% of Millennials and 0% of Boomers. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
The New York Times

Opinion | Elizabeth Warren and Tina Smith: We’ve Seen What Will Happen Next to America’s Women
Millennials Boomers were shown this news article more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.

Millennials

4.1%

Boomers

0.5%
This news article was shown to 4.1% of Millennials and 0.5% of Boomers. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.

KOCO 5 News

WATCH: Cowboys, emergency crews wrangle cow loose on busy Oklahoma City highway
Millennials Boomers were shown this news article more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.

Millennials

4.1%

Boomers

13.2%
This news article was shown to 13.2% of Boomers and 4.1% of Millennials. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
USA TODAY

Fact check: Viral image falsely claims diesel generator is charging an electric car
Millennials Boomers were shown this news article more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.

Millennials

1.2%

Boomers

8.5%
This news article was shown to 8.5% of Boomers and 1.2% of Millennials. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
Tulsa World

'Catastrophic scene' inside Tulsa medical building where five people died in mass shooting
Millennials Boomers were shown this news article more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.

Millennials

0%

Boomers

6.3%
This news article was shown to 6.3% of Boomers and 0% of Millennials. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
ABC7 News

Warriors. vs. Celtics: Watch NBA Finals Game 2 Sunday on ABC7
Millennials Boomers were shown this news article more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.

Millennials

0%

Boomers

5.8%
This news article was shown to 5.8% of Boomers and 0% of Millennials. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.

Hashtags

#strangerthings
Millennials Boomers were shown this hashtag more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
- Millennials
  
  7.6%
- Boomers
  
  3.2%
This hashtag was shown to 7.6% of Millennials and 3.2% of Boomers. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
#geekedweek
Millennials Boomers were shown this hashtag more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
- Millennials
  
  7.6%
- Boomers
  
  3.2%
This hashtag was shown to 7.6% of Millennials and 3.2% of Boomers. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
#mdib
Millennials Boomers were shown this hashtag more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
- Millennials
  
  4.7%
- Boomers
  
  1.1%
This hashtag was shown to 4.7% of Millennials and 1.1% of Boomers. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
#smallbusiness
Millennials Boomers were shown this hashtag more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was less than the average we found in our analysis.
- Millennials
  
  6.5%
- Boomers
  
  3.2%
This hashtag was shown to 6.5% of Millennials and 3.2% of Boomers. The difference was less than the average we found in our analysis.

#boomchallenge
Millennials Boomers were shown this hashtag more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.
- Millennials
  
  2.9%
- Boomers
  
  23.3%
This hashtag was shown to 23.3% of Boomers and 2.9% of Millennials. The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.
#tbt
Millennials Boomers were shown this hashtag more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
- Millennials
  
  12.9%
- Boomers
  
  25.9%
This hashtag was shown to 25.9% of Boomers and 12.9% of Millennials. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
#otd
Millennials Boomers were shown this hashtag more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
- Millennials
  
  4.1%
- Boomers
  
  16.9%
This hashtag was shown to 16.9% of Boomers and 4.1% of Millennials. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
#bbq
Millennials Boomers were shown this hashtag more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.
- Millennials
  
  2.9%
- Boomers
  
  14.8%
This hashtag was shown to 14.8% of Boomers and 2.9% of Millennials. The difference was more than the average we found in our analysis.

Group Recommendations

it's 2005 and this is cool as hell
- 148,000 Members
- posts per day
Millennials Boomers were shown this group more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.

Millennials

28.8%

Boomers

1.6%
This group was shown to 28.8% of Millennials and 1.6% of Boomers. The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.
The Bob's Burgers Fan Club
- 188,000 Members
- posts per day
Millennials Boomers were shown this group more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.

Millennials

28.8%

Boomers

2.6%
This group was shown to 28.8% of Millennials and 2.6% of Boomers. The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.
Derpetology
- 236,000 Members
- posts per day
Millennials Boomers were shown this group more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.

Millennials

31.2%

Boomers

8.5%
This group was shown to 31.2% of Millennials and 8.5% of Boomers. The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.
That's It, I'm inkshaming. (Actually Bad Tattoos)
- 262,000 Members
- 10 posts per day
Millennials Boomers were shown this group more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.

Millennials

25.9%

Boomers

3.2%
This group was shown to 25.9% of Millennials and 3.2% of Boomers. The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.

Middle Aged Humor
- 913,000 Members
- posts per day
Millennials Boomers were shown this group more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.

Millennials

5.3%

Boomers

55.6%
This group was shown to 55.6% of Boomers and 5.3% of Millennials. The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.
Granny’s off her meds👵🧙‍♀️
- 828,000 Members
- posts per day
Millennials Boomers were shown this group more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.

Millennials

11.2%

Boomers

56.6%
This group was shown to 56.6% of Boomers and 11.2% of Millennials. The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.
The Far Side
- 201,000 Members
- 10 posts per day
Millennials Boomers were shown this group more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.

Millennials

10%

Boomers

52.4%
This group was shown to 52.4% of Boomers and 10% of Millennials. The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.
Weird And Amazing Things
- 365,000 Members
- posts per day
Millennials Boomers were shown this group more than Millennials Boomers . The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.

Millennials

16.5%

Boomers

55%
This group was shown to 55% of Boomers and 16.5% of Millennials. The difference was considerably more than the average we found in our analysis.

Split Screen cannot reverse-engineer Facebook’s recommendation algorithm, and none of our observations should be treated as causal claims that Facebook has targeted a specific piece of content at a specific group. Using data collected from our Citizen Browser panel, we are only able to demonstrate what Facebook’s recommendations algorithm surfaced to users aggregated by their self-disclosed political leanings, gender, and age. For more information on the limitations, see our methodology.

Content shown on Split Screen is not necessarily the most seen or interacted with by our panelists. We compare the percentage of each group that was served each piece of content. The bigger the difference in percentage between each demographic in a pair, the higher the rank, or position, of the content.

If you see something that you didn't expect and think we should know about it, email us at splitscreen@themarkup.org

Concept and development Sam Morris and Surya Mattu
Editor Julia Angwin
API and Data Pipeline Developer Micha Gorelick
Data Processing Jon Keegan
Technical Coordinator Angie Waller
Data Pipeline Developer Leon Yin
Header and Avatar Illustrations Bratislav Milenković
Infrastructure and Security Engineer Simon Fondrie-Teitler
Copy Editor/Producer Jill Jaroff
Special Thanks Ian Ardouin-Fumat, Jeff Crouse, Mago Torres, Netograph, Ronald Robertson

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Split Screen: How Different Are Americans’ Facebook Feeds?

Split Screen How Different Are Americans’ Facebook Feeds?

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170 panelists

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189 panelists

News Sources

The Daily Dot

BuzzFeed News

VICE News

Daily Mirror

ABC News

CBS News

CNN

NPR

News Stories

Casper Star-Tribune

Johnny Depp wins libel lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard; Heard awarded money in counterclaim

NPR

Jan. 6 hearing updates: Trump tried to pressure the DOJ. Lawmakers who helped him sought pardons

The New York Times

The New York Times: Digital and Home Delivery Subscriptions

The New York Times

Opinion | Elizabeth Warren and Tina Smith: We’ve Seen What Will Happen Next to America’s Women

KOCO 5 News

WATCH: Cowboys, emergency crews wrangle cow loose on busy Oklahoma City highway

USA TODAY

Fact check: Viral image falsely claims diesel generator is charging an electric car

Tulsa World

'Catastrophic scene' inside Tulsa medical building where five people died in mass shooting

ABC7 News

Warriors. vs. Celtics: Watch NBA Finals Game 2 Sunday on ABC7

Hashtags

Group Recommendations

it's 2005 and this is cool as hell

The Bob's Burgers Fan Club

Derpetology

That's It, I'm inkshaming. (Actually Bad Tattoos)

Middle Aged Humor

Granny’s off her meds👵🧙‍♀️

The Far Side

Weird And Amazing Things

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Split Screen
How Different Are Americans’ Facebook Feeds?