How close are we to optimal content matchmaking with current recommendation systems?

I’m curious about how well today’s recommendation algorithms actually match us to the best content we’d love at any given moment. Whether it’s music on Spotify, games on Steam, or shows on Netflix, the ideal scenario would be that I’m consistently shown the content I’d most enjoy, whenever I’m looking for something new.

But how close are we to this kind of precision? Are there still significant gaps in how well these systems understand us? For instance, does the algorithm mostly prioritize what’s popular over what truly aligns with our tastes? And how much amazing stuff is still out there that I might miss simply because the algorithm isn’t tuned well enough?

Would love to hear your thoughts, especially if you've found ways to get closer to this “optimal match” for your content. Is there a way to get past the mainstream algorithmic biases, or are we basically at the mercy of whatever gets pushed to the top?