Let me ask you something that's been sitting heavy on my mind: If Black culture influences everything from the music you stream to the slang you type to the fashion trends flooding your feed, why doesn't that influence translate to actual power within the algorithms themselves?

It's Black History Month, and I'm not here to just celebrate. I'm here to interrogate. Because here's what I've watched happen over and over again: Black creators set trends that go viral, shape internet culture, and define what's "cool", and then watch as those same trends get repackaged, credited to someone else, and monetized without them.

Influence is not the same as control. And as indie authors trying to build sustainable careers in this digital landscape, we need to understand the difference.

The Illusion of Influence

Black culture doesn't just influence the internet, it is the internet. The dances on TikTok? Created by Black choreographers. The language you see in memes and captions? African American Vernacular English (AAVE). The music that soundtracks every viral moment? Rooted in Black artistry.

But here's the uncomfortable truth: having your culture shape the algorithm doesn't mean you control it.

Think about it. When a dance goes viral, who gets the brand deals? When AAVE becomes trendy online, who profits from that "aesthetic"? When Black music dominates streaming, who owns the masters?

The algorithm rewards visibility. It thrives on trends. But it doesn't care about credit, context, or community. It doesn't distinguish between the originator and the imitator. And that's by design.

Why Algorithms Aren't Built for Us

Research shows us what many Black creators already know from lived experience: algorithms discriminate. Content moderation suppresses Black creators. Posts featuring Black faces perform differently based on how "non-threatening" the algorithm perceives them to be. Shadow bans happen without explanation. Appeals go unanswered.

The platforms weren't built with us in mind. They were built with white normative standards embedded into their code. So even when our culture dominates the conversation, the infrastructure itself works against our success.

• You can set the trend and still get demoted in the feed.
• You can create the sound and still get less reach than someone lip-syncing to it.
  
• You can coin the phrase and watch it gain traction only after someone else uses it.

This isn't conspiracy, it's pattern. And it's why I started Breaking the Algorithm in the first place.

What We're Really Chasing

As authors, especially indie authors, especially authors of color, we've been sold a story about visibility. Go viral. Get followers. The algorithm will save you.

But visibility isn't sustainability.
Reach isn't revenue.
And influence without control is just... exhausting.

I've watched talented authors pour everything into social media, chasing that algorithmic high, only to burn out when the algorithm shifts, when the platform changes its rules, when their content stops performing for reasons they can't explain or fix.

Here's what I want you to hear: You don't need the algorithm to validate your work. You need infrastructure. You need community. You need systems that you actually own.

Longevity Over Visibility

Let's reframe this entire conversation. Instead of asking "How do I get the algorithm to notice me?" start asking:

• How do I build a reader base that's mine, not rented from a platform?
• How do I create content that serves my audience, not just the feed?
• How do I establish myself in spaces where my presence has staying power?

This is about longevity, not just virality.

An email list outlasts any algorithm change. A podcast builds deeper connection than any viral reel. A book club creates community that doesn't depend on engagement rates. Strategic partnerships with bookstores, libraries, and literary organizations give you visibility that platforms can't take away.

I'm not saying abandon social media. I'm saying stop building your entire author platform on rented land.

Recognition Over Reach

Here's another shift I want you to make: Recognition matters more than reach.

Would you rather have 100,000 followers who scroll past your content, or 1,000 readers who actually buy your books, leave reviews, and tell their friends about your work?

Would you rather go viral once and disappear, or build a reputation as a trusted voice in your niche?

The algorithm rewards scale. But scale without conversion is just noise.

I've seen authors with modest followings make consistent income because they focused on the right audience, the people who actually care about their message. They built recognition within their specific community. They showed up consistently in spaces where their ideal readers already gather.

That's strategic influence. That's the kind of power you can control.

Building Outside the Algorithm

So what does this actually look like in practice?

1. Own your email list. This is non-negotiable. Every social media follower should be funneled toward your email list, a communication channel you control completely.

2. Diversify your platforms. Don't put all your energy into one algorithm. Spread your presence across multiple spaces, podcast guesting, newsletter collaborations, in-person events, library partnerships.

3. Create evergreen content. Trends come and go, but valuable, searchable content continues to work for you long after you publish it. Blog posts, YouTube videos, podcast episodes, these build authority over time.

4. Build real relationships. Network with other authors, bookstores, book clubs, literary organizations. Real relationships create opportunities that algorithms never will.

5. Leverage your culture without apologizing for it. Your perspective, your voice, your cultural lens, these are assets, not obstacles. There are readers actively looking for your specific point of view. Find them and serve them well.

The Real Power Move

Black culture doesn't just influence the algorithm, it influences culture, period. And culture outlasts any platform.

The algorithm will change. Platforms will rise and fall. But stories? Community? Art that speaks truth? That's what endures.

So yes, use social media strategically. But don't mistake visibility for power. Don't confuse going viral with building a legacy.

Your influence is real. Now it's time to take control.

This is the work we do inside the Indie Reader Society and through TrustBridge™: connecting authors with the infrastructure, partnerships, and strategies that create sustainable careers, not just viral moments.

Because you deserve more than the algorithm's table scraps. You deserve to own your platform, your audience, and your future.

Let's build something that lasts.

Watch the full BTA Fridays™ episode here: https://youtu.be/iR6q_1S3Mqc

Connect with Me & Access More Resources

Want more support that doesn’t depend on the algorithm? Here are a few easy ways to stay connected and keep building your author platform on solid ground:

• Be a guest on The Author’s Mic™: https://brightheadedpublishing.com/be-a-guest
• Free guide — So You Want to Write a Book: https://brightheadedpublishing.com/
• Support the books:
• Weight For It: https://brightheadedpublishing.com/
  You Sound White: https://brightheadedpublishing.com/
  
• Join the Indie Reader Society (IRS) Book Club: https://brightheadedpublishing.com

🚀 NEW: Meet TrustBridge™
Tired of shouting into the social media void? Meet TrustBridge™, the connection engine behind Bright Headed Publishing. We bypass the algorithm by making targeted, respectful introductions for indie authors to the communities that actually matter. We handle the research, the pitching, and the follow-up so you can focus on writing.

What you get:

• Curated connections (Podcasts, Book Clubs, and Bookstores)
• A professional Media Kit you own and keep
• Personalized outreach & follow-up handled for you
• Direct introductions to vetted partners