# YouTube Recommendations Reinforce Negative Emotions: Auditing Algorithmic Bias with Emotionally-Agentic Sock Puppets

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.15048 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2501.15048/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 25 Jan 2025.

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [Dynamics of Algorithmic Content Amplification on TikTok](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.20231/) (2025)
- [LLM-Assisted Reranking to Operationalize Nuanced Objectives in Recommender Systems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.02883/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Personalized recommendation algorithms, like those on YouTube, significantly shape online content consumption. These systems aim to maximize engagement by learning users' preferences and aligning content accordingly but may unintentionally reinforce impulsive and emotional biases. Using a sock-puppet audit methodology, this study examines YouTube's capacity to recognize and reinforce emotional preferences. Simulated user accounts with assigned emotional preferences navigate the platform, selecting videos that align with their assigned preferences and recording subsequent recommendations. Our findings reveal reveal that YouTube amplifies negative emotions, such as anger and grievance, by increasing their prevalence and prominence in recommendations. This reinforcement intensifies over time and persists across contexts. Surprisingly, contextual recommendations often exceed personalized ones in reinforcing emotional alignment. These findings suggest the algorithm amplifies user biases, contributing to emotional filter bubbles and raising concerns about user well-being and societal impacts. The study emphasizes the need for balancing personalization with content diversity and user agency.