Behind the Feed: A Taxonomy of User-Facing Cues for Algorithmic Transparency in Social Media

People who use social media are increasingly encounteringUI indicators that reveal how platforms decide what contentto show. However, these transparency cues vary widelyacross platforms and are often hard to find, making itdifficult to compare sites or evaluate whether transparencyproduces real accountability---or just better userunderstanding. To address this, we developed aclassification system that standardizes how algorithmicpresentation is categorized in social media interfaces,including whether platforms explain why content isfeatured. The system covers three dimensions: design form,information content, and user agency. Applied across sixmajor platforms, it functions as a reference database foridentifying recurring UI archetypes and patterns. Thisframework helps researchers and designers assess whetheralgorithmic transparency works as intended and supportsfuture interface improvements that increase theinspectability, actionability, and contestability ofalgorithmic systems.