YouTube is rolling out new features designed to give viewers more control over what videos they watch. The new features will help you explore topics and related videos you’re interested in and remove suggestions and recommendations you’re not interested in.
YouTube Gives Viewers More Control Over Content
In a post on the Official YouTube Blog, YouTube explains how and why it’s “doing more to put you in the driver’s seat”. YouTube states that it wants to “help viewers find new interests and passions,” and that you’re the “one true expert” able to do that.
Explore Topics on the Homepage and Up Next: YouTube is making it easier to explore topics and related videos. You’ll see these topics both at the top of your homepage (when you scroll up) and on the Up Next section below the video you’re currently watching.
Starting today, we're rolling out several new features to help you more easily find and enjoy videos on Home and in your Up Next suggestions. Coming to mobile now & to Desktop soon!
Check out each update below & get the full scoop in our Help Community ? https://t.co/iJMsehIc91
— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) June 26, 2019
Stop Certain Channels Being Recommended: On the flipside, you can now tell YouTube to stop recommending videos from particular channels. Just tap the three-dot menu next to a video and select “Don’t recommend channel” from the dropdown menu.
Discover Why YouTube Is Recommending Videos: YouTube is also explaining why it’s recommending particular content. When YouTube recommends videos based on what other viewers have watched, you’ll see an information box underneath the video.
Avoiding YouTube’s Deepest Darkest Rabbit Holes
These changes are clearly a response to complaints that YouTube’s algorithms can send people down rabbit holes. An example being that watching one video taking an objective look at the anti-vax movement would surface countless videos supporting that view.
These changes are rolling out now, and will appear on YouTube for Android and iOS, and on the desktop. This is the perfect opportunity to review the channels you’re subscribed to, and we have recommended YouTubers worth watching in our YouTube starter kit.
Image Credit: Rego Korosi/Flickr
Read the full article: You Can Now Change YouTube’s Video Recommendations
