[nissimk]

I believe the algorithmic ordering is intended to optimize other variables such as "time on site," because if you stay longer they can show you more ads. It seems like the conspiracy stuff would be much harder to actually do, like manipulating the content to influence you to click on more ads.

[Jordrok]

Maybe "conspiracy" is too strong a word, but I have no doubt that the key motivation behind all these algorithmic changes is to boost ad metrics rather than to better serve the users.

(Free services, users, products, etc)

[jlappi]

While I agree that there is a conspiracy element to it, research has been done into this area before by Facebook. Whether or not it's in use is a whole different can of worms.