This project examines Netflix as a complex digital ecosystem comprising users, platform infrastructure, recommendation systems, content licensing, business operations, and internal policies. A comprehensive system map was developed to visualize the interaction between these components, revealing key feedback loops, including the recommendation algorithm cycle, the revenue and marketing loop, and the dynamics created by the Netflix Household policy. From this analysis emerged a clear leverage point: although users drive engagement across the platform, they have no direct way to influence which shows or films Netflix prioritizes.
To address this gap, the intervention introduces a user-driven voting feature built directly into the Netflix interface. A homepage banner invites members to participate, leading to a dedicated voting hub where users can browse and choose between upcoming titles. The experience adapts for mobile through a swipe-based interaction inspired by dating apps, allowing users to vote quickly and intuitively. To encourage ongoing participation, a badge reward system recognizes users for repeated voting. By integrating user input into the content pipeline, this intervention establishes a new feedback loop within the system, strengthening viewer agency, improving audience alignment in content decisions, and creating a more participatory relationship between Netflix and its subscribers.
