Don't watch superhero shows? Netflix knows how to change that

It's safe in 2017 to admit that most of us are addicted to Netflix and that we'd sooner sacrifice a lot of things than our subscriptions to the streaming service. We're familiar with Netflix's "Because you watched" recommendations, but the company's algorithm has been proven to introduce viewers to shows they might never have watched otherwise.

When Netflix learned that 1 in 8 users had never watched superhero content on the streaming platform, they put the algorithm to work in finding common themes across shows that would eventually lead to the world of Marvel's Defenders. By easing them from one show to another, viewers who had never watched superhero content on Netflix ended up catching onto the many Marvel series.

So, what leads you to a superhero show even if you've sworn off the genre? The Netflix/Marvel shows are grounded in realism, so their traditional subject matter and subgenres overlap with other Netflix original comedies and dramas.

• Moral Ambiguity: House of Cards >  Bloodline > Daredevil

• Strong Female Leads: Orange is The New Black > Stranger Things > Jessica Jones

• Coming-of-age Comedies: Grace & Frankie >  Love > Shameless > Iron Fist

• Dark Side of Society: Amanda Knox > Black Mirror > Easy > Luke Cage

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It may not lead directly to The Defenders, but that's the plan; once new viewers get a taste of the Netflix/Marvel universe and the street-level heroism you don't see in say, the MCU, the hope is they'll be invested enough to join one hero in meeting the other three.

This taste map (shaped like Manhattan) tracks the connections between Netflix originals and popular shows like Friends and The Walking Dead:

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

So the next time you find that "Because you watched" row piquing your curiosity, don't be fooled: Netflix has a plan, and you will keep bingeing.