From Literary Genre to Algorithmic Taxonomy: Platform Capitalism in Indonesian Digital Literature

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Doctoral Program in Humanities, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia

10.22059/jor.2026.415451.2854

Abstract

This article examines transformations in Indonesian digital literature on reading-writing platforms such as Fizzo, Wattpad, NoverlToon, and GoodNovel. This research examines how various digital reading-writing platforms in Indonesia deconstruct literary classifications, disseminate works, and regulate reader engagement through an algorithm-driven genre system. The analysis is conducted using a critical analysis of digital reading-writing platforms, drawing on Fredric Jameson’s concepts of cultural commodification and Nick Srnicek’s ideas on platform capitalism. The results of the analysis indicate that literary genres on digital reading-writing platforms function not merely as aesthetic classifications but as market taxonomies controlled by algorithms designed by the platform systems to optimize work discovery, search, reader targeting, and platform engagement. This research also found that erotic and sensational narratives in literary works circulating on digital reading-writing platforms serve as commercially effective attractions for attracting readers with diverse reading preferences. Furthermore, digital reading-writing platforms have changed the literary ecosystem by driving demands for high productivity, retention systems, monetization, and the dissemination of works—all of which are fully controlled by the platform. Furthermore, this article identifies that the value and legitimacy of literature in the digital literary world are no longer confined to the conventional publishing industry and literary critics, but are shaped by popularity, visibility, algorithmic systems, and cross-media adaptations. This indicates that Indonesian digital literature, particularly that based on digital reading-writing platforms, has a close relationship with the digital capitalist system, placing digital literature at the intersection of artistic expression, market logic, and binding platform systems.

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References

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Research in Contemporary World Literature
Volume 31, Issue 2
June 2026
Pages 267-286

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