The Invisible Auction: How Black Box Algorithmic Pricing Is Changing How Canadians Buy Everything

People pay for their items at a grocery store in Toronto in a file photo. Reuters/Carlos Osorio/File Photo1/30/2026|Updated: 1/30/2026AnalysisIf you’ve ever refreshed a shopping website and seen the price of an item increase, you’ve likely come across a system called “algorithmic pricing.” Not many Canadians have ever heard of algorithmic pricing, and fewer know what it could mean for affordability and fairness in the country.Adam H. Douglas is an award-winning full-time freelance writer and author of over 20 years. His work has appeared internationally in publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, MyPerfectMortgage, and many more. His creative works tend toward speculative fiction and horror fantasy. He lives in beautiful Prince Edward Island, Canada with his wife of 30 years and his dogs and kitties. Author’s Selected Articles