Algorithmic Mediation of Islamic Educational Visual Rhetoric: Reshaping Parental Trust Through Institutional Choice Dynamics

Abstract

The increasing influence of algorithm-driven digital platforms has transformed how Islamic educational institutions construct public trust and communicate their institutional identity. This study aims to examine how algorithmic mediation, Islamic visual rhetoric, and digital transformation influence parental trust and institutional choice dynamics in contemporary Islamic education. Employing a qualitative multiple-case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with parents, school leaders, and teachers; direct observations of institutional visual communication practices; and documentation analysis of digital platforms, promotional materials, and institutional archives. The findings reveal three main patterns: algorithmic exposure gradually strengthens parental trust through repeated digital encounters; Islamic visual rhetoric shapes institutional preferences through consistent symbolic representation; and digital transformation reconstructs legitimacy through transparent and continuous documentation. This study contributes the concept of Algorithmic Tradition Mediation by integrating algorithmic governance, visual rhetoric, and educational legitimacy perspectives. The findings recommend that Islamic educational institutions develop ethical, authentic, and trust-oriented digital communication strategies.