How does Trust Factor work in CS:GO?

Trust Factor in CS:GO is like the secret sauce to making your gaming experience better or worse. Basically, it's Valve's way of matchmaking you with players who are supposed to be as nice (or naughty) as you are, based on your in-game behavior. If you're the kind who plays nice, follows the rules, and doesn't get reported for bad behavior, your Trust Factor goes up. This means you're more likely to play with other good eggs. But if you're frequently reported, abandon games, or generally act like a troll, expect to be matched with similar players. It's all behind the scenes, so you can't really check your Trust Factor score, but actions in all Valve games and your overall Steam activity can influence it.

It's complicated. Valve haven't spilled all the beans on Trust Factor, but from personal experience, it's real. My games got way better after I stopped being salty and actually focused on teamwork and having fun. Also, improving your Steam profile with positive game hours and interactions seems to help.