The term edge rank refers to the algorithm that determines the order in which messages are displayed in the newsfeed of the social network Facebook.
Delimitation
The edge rank is often compared to the page rank. However, this comparison is not entirely applicable. A particular web portal is evaluated on the basis of various criteria for page positioning. The result is a fixed value, on which different websites can be compared. In contrast, edge rank does not rate individual pages or Facebook users. In fact, the term refers to the entire algorithm, which is responsible for set the display order and frequency of messages individual items in a user's news stream. The edge rank can give different results for the same entry for different users.
Edge rank formula
The exact determination of the edge rank is a closely guarded secret. In this way, it is not feasible to calculate it accurately. However, Facebook has released a formula by which the calculation can be done schematically. Three criteria are included in the Edge Rank calculation:
- Affinity: Affinity is determined by the strength of the connection between the user and the provider of a post. For example, the frequency with which you liked the news of a friend or the frequency with which you communicate with the respective person is measured. The more intense the interaction, logically, the greater the interest in the person or the company.
- Weighing: The more interaction a message has taking into account all users (for example, likes, comments, actions), the more important it will seem and the more it will be weighted.
- Reality: The more current an entry is, the more likely it is to be displayed often.
In August 2013, Facebook announced that it would extend the previously known EdgeRank. According to a Facebook worker, there are approximately one hundred thousand factors responsible for determining the actual position of an article in the news feed. Some examples include the regular display of messages from best friends, the chronological order of related messages, or the display of current content with great potential for interaction.
Need for EdgeRank
The edgeRank is a benefit for Facebook users. In a large circle of friends and some pages of your liking, about 1,500 new messages can appear in the news feed per query on Facebook.
Nobody can read and perceive so many messages. In this way, Facebook is trying to influence the content that is displayed through EdgeRank. Based on various classification factors, the network tries to find the information and messages that may be of particular interest to the user. For this, the behavior of users is evaluated, such as their interaction with people and pages. Posts deemed unimportant are completely hidden or displayed less frequently thanks to EdgeRank, while more recent and relevant posts are more visible.
