"If you've been on TikTok in the past couple of weeks, you've probably noticed people posting about belonging to "Group 7." The trend is actually an experiment by indie singer Sophia James, who released a series of videos set to her song "So Unfair" in an effort to manipulate TikTok's algorithm and get more people listening to her music. After trying a few different tactics, following typical TikTok formats, James started placing people into exclusive groups."
"James kicked off the videos on October 17, posting a video that followed the same TikTok formula we've seen since the dawn of the platform: herself mouthing and dancing along to a song- her song-and holding a parking ticket. In her second video, she says "it has always been and will always be me versus the algorithm. And today I have decided that I'm winning" while "So Unfair" plays softly in the background."
Indie singer Sophia James released TikTok videos set to her song "So Unfair" to test and manipulate the platform's algorithm. She created sequential posts labeling viewers as members of exclusive groups (Group 4, 5, 6, 7). The Group 7 video went massively viral with over 76 million views and generated many comments, reactions, and celebrity recognition including Malala Yousafzai. James began the series on October 17 using familiar TikTok formats of mouthing, dancing, and props like a parking ticket, and she explicitly framed it as competing with the algorithm. She reported an uptick in listeners for "So Unfair" following the viral success.
Read at WIRED
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