Sports

Social Media Algorithms Are Rigged To Promote Erling Haaland Amid Taylor Swift-Like Fame At World Cup

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Erling Haaland Social Media Algorithm
iStockphoto / Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

If your social media algorithm is anything like mine, Erling Haaland is inescapable. That is true on TikTok, X, Instagram, Facebook — all of my apps are completely infiltrated by the Norwegian soccer star.

You cannot avoid him even if you want to! (I don’t)

The rise of Haaland at the World Cup can only be compared to the early days of Taylor Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce. It has been a full month of viral moments.

Erling Haaland is everywhere on social media.

For the longest time, Erling Haaland was considered rude and standoffish. Although he was always considered one of the best players in the sport, he rarely met with the media and mostly kept to himself. A pair of awkward interviews did not help his image.

The first took place in 2020 when Haaland was with Borussia Dortmund.

The second was at Manchester City. (He was pressed by the reporter!)

Soccer fans long considered Haaland to be a goal-scoring robot. That is not the case.

According to The Athletic, Haaland recognized the disconnect with his fans and decided to provide more access to his true personality. It started with behind-the-scenes videos on his YouTube channel. He allowed people to see his goofy side.

The 25-year-old’s brand has skyrocketed since the start of the World Cup. Not only did he lead Norway into the Elite Eight, he has had a lot of fun along the way.

Even Nike got in on Haaland Mania.

As BroBible EIC Cass Anders just said to me, “I wake up with the Haaland song stuck in my head.”

Haaland dropped a rap song with his buddies back in 2016.

It got an official Kygo remix.

His post on X after the win over Brazil in the Round of 16 is one of the most viewed posts of all-time.

The memes are EVERYWHERE.

Google also added a Haaland feature on its home page.

You get the idea. Erling Haaland is one of the most popular figures in the United States (and the world) right now because of the ongoing soccer tournament.

The algorithm is rigged!

Not only does Haaland deserve to be a bigger star because of his play, his personality is infectious. He continues to go viral on every social media platform and it’s not a coincidence.

According to The Athletic, the algorithms are currently rigged in his favor. It is a lot like when Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were unavoidable on the internet when they first got together in the summer of 2023 and the following football season.

“Over the past few days, his camp has been told that social-media algorithms are being geared towards Haaland content, because that is where the demand is among users. They have been told his boom in popularity has been likened to when Travis Kelce began dating Taylor Swift and then his Kansas City Chiefs team won that season’s Super Bowl.”

Norway’s impressive run to the Elite Eight plays a large role in the rise of Haaland. Especially because he keeps scoring.

If the Vikings go on to win, their leading scorer will be a household name like Ronaldo or Messi— even in non-soccer households. (If he isn’t already!)