Playlists feel personal, right? But behind the scenes, algorithms are busy classifying your taste like a judge at a talent show. They don’t just note what you play; they infer mood, context, and even social status. Your Sunday morning jazz? It signals sophistication. Your late-night pop bangers? A hint at your social life.

These judgments affect what songs get pushed to you next. Not all recommendations are about what you might like; some are about what the algorithm thinks you *should* like to keep you hooked. It’s less about discovery and more about subtle steering.

So next time your playlist feels oddly perfect or strangely repetitive, remember: it’s less your choice and more a quiet negotiation with unseen curators who never actually listen, just analyze.

Is your music taste really yours, or just another data point?