Journals / Gümüşhane Üniversitesi İletişim Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 14 Sayı: 1

ALGORITHMIC RECOMMENDATION AND USER EXPERIENCE ON DIGITAL PLATFORMS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF STUART HALL'S ENCODING-DECODING MODEL

DİJİTAL PLATFORMLARDA ALGORİTMİK YÖNLENDİRME VE KULLANICI DENEYİMİ: STUART HALL’UN KODLAMA-KODAÇIMLAMA MODELİ ÇERÇEVESİNDE FENOMENOLOJİK BİR İNCELEME

Pages
933–953
Publication Date
2026-03-29
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Consequently, the study reveals that algorithmic steering creates a tension between functional convenience and loss of control in the user experience, with users developing varying interpretations across dominant, negotiated, and oppositional reading positions.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Digital video platforms shape the viewing experience not only through content selection but also through algorithmic recommendation systems and personalized interface customizations.
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Key Findings & Data:Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted online with 15 participants who actively use digital video platforms.
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Conclusion & Impact:Consequently, the study reveals that algorithmic steering creates a tension between functional convenience and loss of control in the user experience, with users developing varying interpretations across dominant, negotiated, and oppositional reading positions.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Algoritmik yönlendirme · Kişiselleştirme · Kodlama-kodaçımlama

Abstract

Digital video platforms shape the viewing experience not only through content selection but also through algorithmic recommendation systems and personalized interface customizations. This study examines how users interpret the experience of algorithmic steering within the framework of Stuart Hall's encoding-decoding model. The research is a qualitative study conducted using a phenomenological design. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted online with 15 participants who actively use digital video platforms. The study sample was created using snowball sampling, and the interviews were recorded and transcribed. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis in MAXQDA, and the codes were converted into themes. The findings show that algorithmic recommendations serve as a guide that facilitates the decision-making process and saves time for some users. However, the fact that recommendations lead to repetitive content and fail to meet expectations reveals algorithmic errors and a vicious cycle. While the promise of personalization can yield a positive experience for some users through recognition and a sense of being special, others perceive this process as directed and are concerned about surveillance, developing a more distant relationship with the platform. Technical limitations such as subtitle visibility and interface density can complicate the viewing experience, potentially driving some users to alternative sources. Consequently, the study reveals that algorithmic steering creates a tension between functional convenience and loss of control in the user experience, with users developing varying interpretations across dominant, negotiated, and oppositional reading positions.

Özet

Dijital video platformları, izleme deneyimini yalnızca içerik seçimi üzerinden değil, algoritmik öneri sistemleri ve kişiselleştirilmiş arayüz düzenlemeleri üzerinden de şekillendirmektedir. Bu çalışma, kullanıcıların bu algoritmik yönlendirme deneyimini nasıl anlamlandırdığını Stuart Hall’un kodlama-kodaçımlama modeli çerçevesinde incelemektedir. Araştırma, fenomenolojik desenle yürütülmüş nitel bir çalışmadır. Dijital video platformlarını aktif kullanan 15 katılımcı ile çevrimiçi ortamda yarı yapılandırılmış derinlemesine görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Çalışma kümesi kartopu örnekleme ile oluşturulmuş, görüşmeler kayıt altına alınarak deşifre edilmiştir. Veriler MAXQDA üzerinden nitel içerik analiziyle çözümlenmiş, kodlar temalara dönüştürülmüştür. Bulgular, algoritmik önerilerin bir bölüm kullanıcı için karar verme sürecini kolaylaştıran ve zaman kazandıran bir rehber işlevi gördüğünü göstermektedir. Bununla birlikte önerilerin tekrar eden içeriklere yöneltmesi ve beklentiyle örtüşmemesi, algoritmik hata ve kısırdöngü deneyimini görünür kılmaktadır. Kişiselleştirme vaadi, bazı kullanıcılar açısından tanınma ve özel hissetme üzerinden olumlu bir deneyime dönüşürken, bazı kullanıcılar bu süreci yönlendirilmişlik duygusu ve gözetim kaygısı ile birlikte okumakta ve platforma mesafeli bir ilişki geliştirebilmektedir. Teknik boyutta altyazı görünürlüğü ve arayüz yoğunluğu gibi tasarım sınırlılıkları izleme deneyimini zorlaştırabilmekte, bu durum kimi kullanıcıları alternatif kaynaklara yöneltebilmektedir. Sonuç olarak çalışma, algoritmik yönlendirmenin kullanıcı deneyiminde işlevsel kolaylık ile kontrol kaybı arasında gerilimli bir alan ürettiğini, kullanıcıların egemen, müzakereci ve muhalif okuma konumları arasında değişen anlamlandırmalar geliştirdiğini ortaya koymaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Uğurhan, Y. Z. C., Yaşar, İ. H. (2026). ALGORITHMIC RECOMMENDATION AND USER EXPERIENCE ON DIGITAL PLATFORMS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF STUART HALL'S ENCODING-DECODING MODEL. Gümüşhane Üniversitesi İletişim Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi, Cilt: 14 Sayı: 1, 933–953. https://doi.org/10.19145/e-gifder.1865369

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