DeadLetter
Your feed is full of dead letters.

The algorithm is stealing
47 days of your life this year.

DeadLetter shows you exactly how much time, attention, and neurochemistry the algorithm is costing you — in 30 seconds. Then gives you a science-backed protocol to take it back.

See Your Algorithm Profile →
0.0h
Avg daily screen time
0 days
Lost to algorithms / year
0%
Avg toxic content ratio
0
Algorithmic interrupts / day

The Problem

The algorithm isn't broken.
It's working exactly as designed.

Every major platform optimises for engagement above all else. Engagement means time on screen. Time on screen means exploiting the four neurochemical systems that govern your attention and mood.

Dopamine

Dopamine Hijacking

Variable-reward notifications are engineered on the same principles as slot machines. Every ping trains your brain to compulsively check — even when there is nothing new.

85 interrupts / day

Oxytocin

Parasocial Drain

One-way relationships with influencers and celebrities satisfy the social instinct without building reciprocal bonds. Over time, this crowds out real connection and elevates loneliness.

41% of follows are parasocial

Serotonin

Serotonin Suppression

Outrage content triggers cortisol spikes that chronically suppress serotonin. A feed optimised for engagement is, by design, a feed optimised for low-grade anxiety.

41% avg toxic content ratio

Endorphins

Endorphin Replacement

Digital stimulation substitutes for physical activity as an endorphin source. The result is a sedentary feedback loop — the phone satisfies the craving the phone created.

47 days / year lost

The Protocol

The 7-Day Signal Stack

Each phase targets a specific neurochemical the algorithm exploits. The order matters. The sequence is designed so each stage enables the next.

  1. Dopamine

    Days 1–2

    Break the trigger loop

    Kill notifications. Set hard time limits. Sever the variable-reward pattern before retraining anything else.

  2. Oxytocin

    Days 3

    Rebuild real connection

    Unfollow or mute accounts that produce anxiety or envy. Replace parasocial consumption with direct communication.

  3. Serotonin

    Days 4–5

    Protect the morning, retrain the algo

    Phone-free mornings reset your cortisol baseline. Intentional engagement signals reshape the recommendation engine.

  4. Endorphins

    Days 6–7

    Restore physical reward pathways

    Replace digital stimulation with physical activity. Measure the delta. The reduction is always visible by Day 7.

Get your Signal Stack →

The data doesn't lie.

41% toxic

“I had no idea my feed was this negative. Unfollowed 50 accounts that day.”
@mindful_maya

52 days / yr

“52 days. That hit different. I deleted TikTok the same night.”
@reclaimed_time

3.2h after 10pm

“My sleep score improved 40% after following the detox plan.”
@sleep_better_now
“We don't block your apps. We show you the data — your data — then give you 7 days to change the signal.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DeadLetter?
DeadLetter is a free social media algorithm auditor. Select the platforms you use and it generates a personal algorithm profile — daily screen time, toxic content ratio, vulnerability score, and days lost per year — in about 30 seconds. No login or account required.
How does the algorithm steal time?
The average person spends 6.2 hours per day on social media — 47 days per year. Algorithms maximise engagement by exploiting dopamine reward loops, triggering outrage, and using variable-reward notifications. The same mechanics as slot machines.
What is the Signal Stack protocol?
A 7-day detox protocol targeting the four neurochemicals social media algorithms exploit: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. Each pair of days focuses on one signal — breaking trigger loops, rebuilding real connection, retraining the algorithm, and restoring physical reward pathways.
Is DeadLetter free?
Yes. The audit and the full 7-day Signal Stack are completely free. No credit card, no account, and no data is stored without your consent.
Does DeadLetter access my social media accounts?
No. DeadLetter does not connect to your accounts or read your data directly. The audit is generated from statistical models based on the platforms you select. Optionally, you can upload a Screen Time screenshot for a more precise analysis.

Early Access

See what the algorithm sees.

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