Algorithmic Addiction: The Digital Fix

The FADS formula that keeps you scrolling, clicking, and consuming

You’re scrolling through your feed late at night. You see an ad for a burger, perfectly shot with cheese melting over the edge. A few posts later, there’s an influencer holding a frothy cocktail, backlit by the glow of a neon sign. Then comes a swipeable carousel promising “date night ideas,” complete with seductive imagery and links to curated playlists.

You think you’re just browsing, but what’s really happening? You’re being hooked—again.

Marketers have long known how to exploit our cravings for food, alcohol, drugs, and sex (FADS) to drive sales. But in the age of algorithms, these primal cues have been supercharged. Algorithms don’t just push marketing messages to the masses; they target your specific triggers, customizing the hook to reel you in. It’s marketing on steroids, and it’s designed to stimulate your brain’s reward centers so effectively, you don’t even notice the manipulation.

Let’s peel back the curtain and explore how algorithms and FADS cues work together to hijack our attention and influence our decisions.

Why algorithms work to shape our behavior

Algorithms aren’t just lines of code—they’re digital hypnotists, tapping into our brain’s reward systems with a finesse that’s almost diabolical. They decide what we see, when we see it, and why. 

Designed to maximize engagement, they prioritize content that gets the strongest reactions—likes, clicks, comments, shares. Algorithms thrive on stimulating the dopamine system, the part of your brain responsible for pleasure, reward, and habit formation.

The result? A curated digital experience, fine-tuned to your preferences, desires, and vulnerabilities—with the content you’re most likely to engage with, regardless of quality. 

The brain’s pleasure traps

Dopamine, the brain’s “feel-good” neurotransmitter, gets released whenever we experience pleasure—whether it’s a decadent dessert, a clever meme, or a match on a dating app. But here’s the kicker: algorithms supercharge this by delivering unpredictable rewards. Like a slot machine, you never know when the next hit will come, and that uncertainty keeps you hooked.

Emotional shortcuts are hardwired to capture attention

As we talk about in the FADS book, marketers use FADS—food, alcohol, drugs, and sex—to capture attention. These primal drivers are hardwired into our biology; they tap into ancient survival mechanisms that make us crave calories, connection, and comfort.

Algorithms love primal cues because they bypass rational thought and hit you where it counts—your instincts. A sultry cocktail ad doesn’t just make you thirsty; it wraps the drink in a lifestyle of glamour and relaxation. A sizzling burger doesn’t just look tasty; it triggers a deep-seated hunger impulse you didn’t even know you had. In those moments, you’re not analyzing—you’re reacting. And that’s exactly the point.

Hyper-personalization

Algorithms use hyper-personalization to make everything feel like it’s just for you. That molten chocolate cake you scrolled past at midnight? The algorithm knows you’ve been Googling dessert recipes and waiting for your willpower to wane. The ad didn’t just show up—it ambushed you at the perfect moment to capture your attention and maybe even your wallet.

Algorithms take this to the next level, analyzing our behaviors to deliver these cues at the exact moment we’re most susceptible. And they do it with the data we provide. 

FADS meet algorithms: The perfect storm

The combination of algorithms and FADS cues is so effective because they tap into  the way our brains work.

Food cravings have become a science

Picture this: it’s noon, you’re scrolling Instagram, and an ad for a sizzling Big Mac deal pops up just as hunger pangs hit. Coincidence? Not a chance.

McDonald’s has turned cravings into an algorithmic science. Using geofencing, weather data, and real-time behavioral analysis, they deliver ads so perfectly timed it feels like your phone is reading your mind. If it’s chilly out, you’ll see a cozy combo of hot coffee and apple pie. Near a store? Expect a nudge toward their latest limited-time deal.

This strategy isn’t just clever; it’s effective. A test campaign boosted in-store visits by a juicy 8%, proving that when food imagery meets algorithmic precision, mild cravings can become irresistible purchases.

Alcohol ads tap into lifestyle aspirations

Imagine scrolling through Instagram, daydreaming about your next camping trip, and suddenly there it is: a Sierra Nevada ad, featuring a frosty pale ale against a backdrop of mountains and pine trees. Coincidence?

Nope. It’s algorithmic genius. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company uses data-driven targeting to connect with outdoor enthusiasts, aligning their brand with the aspirational lifestyles of hikers, campers, and adventurers.

Their secret? Paid ads and organic posts that blend stunning landscapes with the message that their beer is the perfect end to any great adventure. In 2021, this approach paid off big, boosting online engagement by 20%. It’s a masterclass in tying products to passions, where algorithms make your next cold one feel like a natural part of the great outdoors.

Cannabis ads build buzz

When Liberty Cannabis set out to open a new dispensary in San Francisco’s bustling market, they knew standing out would take more than a great product. Enter Junction 37, the marketing agency that helped craft a strategy to “build buzz” and bring customers through the doors. The plan combined high-impact display ads, targeted email campaigns leveraging data analytics, and native advertising that subtly promoted Liberty Cannabis while blending into its digital surroundings. Algorithms played a key role in ensuring these ads reached the right audience—people already inclined toward cannabis products.

The results were impressive: over 4 million impressions, 13,000 clicks, and click-through rates that smoked industry averages. Liberty Cannabis showed that even in a heavily regulated market, data-driven marketing targeted at the right audiences using algorithms can cut through the haze.

Tinder keeps you hooked on action

Tinder and Bumble aren’t just about finding love—they’re finely tuned dopamine engines designed to keep you swiping. By blending social validation with machine learning, these platforms craft an experience that’s both endlessly engaging and hard to quit.

Tinder’s swipe feature relies on a variable reinforcement schedule, the same psychological trick that makes slot machines so compelling. Matches are unpredictable, and each one delivers a dopamine rush, keeping users hooked as they chase the next connection.

Behind the scenes, algorithms like Tinder’s Elo Score (since replaced with a proprietary system) ranked users based on “desirability,” pairing them with others in similar tiers. This not only gamified attraction but also incentivized more activity, boosting the odds of securing higher-quality matches.

The scale of this approach is staggering: in 2022, Tinder saw over 1.4 billion swipes daily, with users spending an average of 90 minutes per session. By turning the pursuit of connection into a feedback loop of reward and anticipation, Tinder has perfected algorithmic engagement.

Breaking the cycle of data and addiction

If this all sounds a bit dystopian, don’t panic. The system is powerful, but it’s not invincible. There’s a middle path—a way to engage with algorithms and FADS cues without falling completely under their spell. Here’s how you can reclaim control while making these systems work for you:

Recognize the cues

Awareness is your first line of defense. Understanding how FADS cues—food, alcohol, drugs, and sex—pair with algorithms to trigger dopamine loops helps you spot manipulative tactics before they take hold. 

Curate your feed with customization tools

You don’t have to disengage entirely. Mute or block accounts and ads that lean too hard on primal triggers without offering real value. Instead, follow creators and brands that prioritize authenticity, diversity, and meaningful engagement. And don’t forget to check the feeds your children see online and talk to them about algorithms too. 

Platforms like Bluesky are paving the way for user-controlled algorithms. Embrace tools that let you customize your feed and minimize the noise, enabling you to create a digital environment that serves your goals rather than distracts from them.

Vote with your clicks

Algorithms are shaped by what you engage with. By clicking on high-quality, thoughtful content, you teach the system to deliver more of what truly resonates with you—content that informs or inspires rather than just entertains.

Every click, like, or share is a vote that teaches algorithms what you value. If you want a better feed, prioritize engaging with content that informs or inspires rather than just entertains. Look for posts that challenge your thinking, align with your goals, or provide credible information. Avoid clickbait—it might grab your attention momentarily, but it teaches the algorithm to prioritize fluff over substance.

Curate a balanced feed by mixing lighter content with material that stimulates your mind or broadens your perspective. Every interaction shapes your digital environment, so make intentional choices. By voting for valuable content, you can transform your feed into a space that supports your growth and well-being.

Use algorithms to your advantage

When you put it all together—dopamine hits, primal triggers, and eerily precise timing—you get a feedback loop that’s almost impossible to resist. These tactics don’t just nudge you to click—they shape your habits, desires, and routines, embedding themselves into your daily life in ways you may not even notice.

Algorithms and FADS cues are a potent combination, designed to exploit our most basic instincts for profit. But knowledge and intention can tip the scales. By understanding how these systems work, you can navigate the digital landscape on your terms, finding a balance in the content you consume and taking control of the data you give away. Maybe you can even learn to beat the algorithm.

So, the next time an ad makes your mouth water or your heart skip a beat, pause and ask yourself: Is this truly what I want—or is it what I’ve been nudged to want?