Can Embedded Video Recommendations Reduce Information Cocoons: The Moderating Role of Situational Orientation

The rise of personalized recommendation systems has reshaped online information consumption, yet concerns persist regarding the development of “information cocoons” that isolate users from diverse perspectives. To address this, we explore the role of the embedded recommendation format of video in promoting diversity within personalized systems. While previous research has primarily focused on algorithmic diversification, our study underscores the significance of recommendation presentation formats in shaping users’ browsing experiences and exacerbating information cocoons. We investigate how different video recommendation formats (presence/absence of embedded video recommendation) moderate the relationship between personalization and diversity exposure, further considering users’ situational orientations moderated this moderation effect. Our findings shed light on the nuanced interplay between video recommendation formats, personalization, and user behavior, offering valuable insights for the design of recommendation systems aimed at enhancing users’ engagement with diverse content.