Generation Mechanism of “Information Cocoons” of Network Users: An Evolutionary Game Approach

Abstract

The extensive application of algorithm recommendation technology not only meets the information needs of network users but also leads to the emergence of “information cocoons”. On the basis of summarizing three generating mechanisms, namely, the theory of technological innovation, the theory of interest-driven, and the theory of emotional identity, this paper constructs a game model of bilateral evolution between information platforms and network users and simulates the influence path of key factors on the evolution of both parties’ main strategies. The research shows that algorithm recommendation technology is the root of “information cocoons” in the algorithm era. As the algorithm technology matures day by day, the cost of using algorithm recommendations on information platforms and the loss cost of accepting algorithm recommendations by network users are constantly decreasing, which causes the information platforms and network users’ strategy choice for algorithm recommendation to evolve from {give up and conflict} to {use and accept}, and finally leads to the long-term existence of “information cocoons”.