ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

PBiLoss: A Regularization Method to Reduce Popularity Bias in Graph-Based Recommenders

publication · 2026-04-30

Researchers propose PBiLoss, a regularization-based loss function to counteract popularity bias in graph neural network (GNN)-based recommender systems. Popularity bias leads to over-recommendation of popular items, reducing personalization, unfair exposure, and lowering diversity. Existing solutions include pre-processing (distorts data), in-processing (complicates optimization), and post-processing (limited in correcting embedded bias). PBiLoss augments traditional training by penalizing model inclination toward popular items. The paper is available on arXiv (2507.19067).

Key facts

  • PBiLoss is a regularization-based loss function.
  • It targets popularity bias in GNN-based recommenders.
  • Popularity bias causes over-recommendation of popular items.
  • It reduces personalization and fairness.
  • Existing methods: pre-processing, in-processing, post-processing.
  • Pre-processing can distort data distributions.
  • In-processing complicates optimization.
  • Post-processing is limited in correcting embedded bias.
  • PBiLoss penalizes model inclination toward popular items.
  • Paper available on arXiv (2507.19067).

Entities

Institutions

  • arXiv

Sources