In an era where social media like TikTok dominates free time with algorithms that “hook” users, a New York developer, Isaac Gemal, offers a unique alternative: WikiTok. The platform combines TikTok’s vertical scrolling interface with Wikipedia’s educational content. Its goal is simple: to allow users to explore knowledge randomly, without algorithms influencing their interests or habits.
How does WikiTok work, and why is it being called an “escape” from the algorithm’s clutches? Let’s dig deeper.
How WikiTok Works, Infinite Scroll for Knowledge
WikiTok is designed with a TikTok-like interface. Users simply swipe up or down the screen to move from one Wikipedia article to another. Each "card" that appears displays an image, title, and a short excerpt from the Wikipedia article. If interested, users can click "Read More" to read the full article on the Wikipedia site.
What sets WikiTok apart from other platforms is the absence of a recommendation algorithm . The articles displayed are completely random, taken directly from Wikipedia's API. For example, after reading about Lake Fianga in Chad, a user might be immediately presented with an article about quantum technology or the history of the Javanese kingdom.
Another interesting feature is the support for 14 languages , including Indonesian. Users can change languages through the menu in the upper right corner, allowing exploration of knowledge in the language they master.
The Philosophy Behind WikiTok, Fighting the Controlling Algorithm
Isaac Gemal, the developer, has vehemently rejected user requests to add recommendation algorithms. In an interview with Ars Technica , he stated, "We are already controlled by cruel algorithms in our daily lives. Why can't there be a small corner of the world that is free from them?" .
This statement reflects concerns about the impact of social media algorithms that often limit users' insights to content that suits their interests. With WikiTok, Gemal wants to create a space where users get lost in the randomness of an experience that actually triggers curiosity and unexpected learning.
Built in One Night with the Help of AI
Interestingly, WikiTok is not a complicated project that took months to complete. Gemal built the platform in just 2 hours using AI tools like Claude from Anthropic and Cursor. He used Wikipedia’s API to fetch random articles and designed the interface with React, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS.
WikiTok's code is also publicly available on GitHub, allowing other developers to contribute or create modified versions. WikiTok is currently accessible via desktop or mobile browsers, and can even be installed as a standalone application (PWA).
User Response
Since its launch, WikiTok has been praised as a "healthy" way to pass the time. Some users say they are addicted to endless scrolling, but feel more productive because they are exposed to new facts.
On the Hacker News forum, one user commented, "It's like randomly opening an encyclopedia, you never know what you're going to find, and that's what makes it interesting." But others doubt WikiTok's appeal compared to TikTok's viral content. "Learning the history of Schwenkles may not be as exciting as the #SmoreChallenge, but at least it's not mentally damaging," wrote one commenter on Ars Technica.
The Future of WikiTok, Keep It Random or Add Features?
While Gemal is committed to maintaining WikiTok’s random nature, he is open to development ideas such as a tagging system or integrating AI to categorize articles. But he stressed that a personalized recommendation algorithm will never be added.
"This project is a fight against algorithms. I don't want WikiTok to become like TikTok, trapping users in a content bubble," he said.
Conclusion
WikiTok proves that digital platforms don’t always have to follow algorithmic logic. With its simple design and knowledge-based content, the project offers a new way to explore information without data manipulation or tracking .
For those tired of repetitive social media feeds , WikiTok can be a refreshing oasis. As Gemal says, "Sometimes randomness opens the door to things we never knew we wanted to learn." .
