Document Type : Research/Original/Regular Article
Authors
1 Master of Media Management, University of Radio and Television of Iran, Tehran, Iran
2 Assistant Professor and Faculty Member, University of Mazandaran
Abstract
Within less than a decade, TikTok has evolved from a seemingly trivial entertainment platform into a geopolitical force whose primary influence stems not from user-generated content, but from its distinctive algorithmic mechanisms. This article argues that TikTok’s algorithm, through the engineering of its For You Page, has become an active instrument for shaping, amplifying, and manipulating narratives during global crises. Unlike social media platforms based on “social graphs” (e.g., Facebook) or “news graphs” (e.g., Twitter/X), TikTok generates a highly personalized and emotion-driven “content graph” that has transformed the battlefield of information. Adopting a qualitative, analytical–interpretive–comparative approach, this study investigates the narrative-making role of TikTok’s algorithm during the twelve-day war between Iran and Israel. In this context, algorithmic mechanisms played a decisive role in mobilizing public opinion, delegitimizing adversaries, and shaping global perceptions of the conflict. The findings reveal that TikTok’s algorithm systematically prioritizes emotional, sensational, and simplified content over context-rich, in-depth analyses, thereby fostering polarized narratives and undermining constructive dialogue. This mechanism not only engineers public understandings of reality but also directly influences conflict outcomes by affecting public morale, political mobilization, and international legitimacy. Ultimately, the research underscores the urgent need to reconceptualize “media literacy” for the algorithmic age and contends that understanding the “TikTok tactic” is vital for analysts, governments, and citizens seeking to confront the challenges of contemporary information warfare.
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