20/07/2025

ON SUNDAY JULY 20, 2025 theSunday Special III

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How to outsmart the algorithm and shop smarter

In a single scroll, a social media user can come across a funny 15-second clip about a nifty vegetable chopper, be charmed by the host’s candid demo and click a link to buy it within minutes.

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In Malaysia, we’ve also seen instances of public backlash when an influencer pushes a questionable product.”

DON’T get played by the scroll. Use these tips to stay in control while shop ping on social media. 1. Pause before you purchase That 15-second clip may be convincing, but give yourself at least 10 minutes before clicking “Buy Now”. Walk away, think it over – if you still want it, it’s probably worth a second look. 2. Cross-check the product Search for reviews outside of the app, such as on YouTube, Google reviews or independent review sites. What others say in less curated spaces often reveals more. 3. Check for disclosure Legit influencers disclose paid partner ships or gifted items. Suppose they don’t, question the authenticity of the review. 4. Compare prices Just because it’s in a slick video doesn’t mean it’s the best deal. Check Lazada, Shopee or even physical stores for comparison. 5. Understand return policies Some purchases on social commerce platforms have limited return options. Read the fine print, especially for items sold during livestreams or flash deals. 6. Curate your feed Interacting with a certain type of content trains the algorithm. Like and follow content that reflects your true interests – not just what’s trending – to avoid being pulled into the impulse-buy vortex. 7. Use a wishlist, not a cart If your shopping platform allows it, save items to a wishlist instead of adding them to your cart. It helps create a buffer zone between seeing and spending. 8. Know your spending triggers Limited-time offers, countdowns and phrases like “Only 1 left!” are meant to trigger FOMO. Recognising this can help defuse the pressure to make a purchase. Being algorithm-aware doesn’t mean avoiding social shopping altogether. It simply means being smart about it.

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Facebook, Instagram and TikTok have essentially transformed into one-stop shopping malls, where you can be influenced by content and instantly make a purchase.”

The tone is conversational, peer-to-peer. The effect? Viewers drop their guard.