In 2019, the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil published a study that exposed a YouTube algorithm that promoted content created by alt-right micro celebrities. The researchers were mainly concerned about a correlation between this algorithm and the rise in online radicals, signaled by the spread of misinformation and the proliferation of white supremacist and misogynistic ideals, and increased user interaction in the comment sections of the videos suggested by this algorithm. The study also showed a tendency for users to progressively watch more and more extreme content after prompts from the platform’s algorithm.

Journalists have previously discussed the existence](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/10/opinion/sunday/youtube-politics-radical.html) of an alt-right pipeline with relation to the 2016 U.S. presidential elections. The 2019 study and other independent studies confirmed the speculations, but the issue was mostly forgotten about quickly.

About the time the study was published, TikTok was rising in popularity and many of the micro celebrities had migrated to the platform. An analysis of TikTok’s algorithm in 2020 revealed similar data to the research on YouTube: the new social media also promotes far-right and extremist accounts to most of its users, regardless of their interests. The first few studies focused predominantly on the U.S., but the think tank Institute for Strategic Dialogue conducted a global research, confirming the trend was present across Europe, Australia as well as Asia.

Since a large part of TikTok’s audience are teenagers and young adults, concerns around the radical content on the platform increased the problem’s visibility in media.

The problem seemed to recede temporarily after one of the prominent figures of the radical alt-right, Andrew Tate, was banned from all globally popular platforms – Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Facebook– in August 2022. Tate was seen as one of the worst perpetrators of online hate, misogyny and racism, with unusually young followers. Following his ban from most online platforms, social media giants seem to become more vigilant to impose their Community Guidelines more strictly.

In December 2022, Tate was arrested in Romania on allegations of human trafficking and assault. His fame has since diminished, but his following remains loyal. In recent interviews with BBC, teen boys admit that Tate remains their role model because of his stereotypical figure of masculinity (a macho) and wealth.

While it might appear that the far-right pipeline, propagated by the algorithms of the platforms, has lost its appeal and prominence, BBC’s interviews with teenagers as well as other media surveys suggest otherwise. Many of the famous rightwing content creators, such as [Jordan Peterson] (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/feb/07/how-dangerous-is-jordan-b-peterson-the-rightwing-professor-who-hit-a-hornets-nest) and Ben Shapiro, remain active on their accounts across all platforms. Except for Andrew Tate’s ban from August 2022, the platforms have taken no other overt actions to ensure that their algorithms cease to promote extremism, the spread of hate and misinformation.