O’Reilly, T., Strauss, I. and Mazzucato, M. (2023) Algorithmic Attention Rents: A theory of digital platform market power. UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, Working Paper Series (IIPP WP 2023-10).

Reading available to download.

This is a report-style paper by three well-known researchers from UCL’s Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose. Outlining a theory of ‘algorithmic attention rents’ in digital aggregator platforms, they explore how such platforms extract value from users. Focusing on advertising, they show how attention harvested from users is monetised by being resold to suppliers or other advertisers. The text should provide a good starting point for the updated discussion of ‘attention economy’.

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