It can occasionally be difficult to locate a YouTube video that genuinely aligns with our preferences. Acknowledging this problem, the video-sharing site is seemingly trying to solve it with its new experimental function, dubbed “Your Custom Feed.”
This novel experiment endeavors to resolve the annoyance users often experience when algorithm-based suggestions miss their targets. It has been previously noted that YouTube’s algorithm often incorrectly assesses user needs. As an example, viewing several Disney clips might lead the platform to think you’re a devoted follower, leading to a deluge of comparable material — even when it’s not truly desired.
Those involved in the trial will see “Your Custom Feed” situated beside the usual “Home” button on the main page. By clicking it, you can provide prompts suited to your inclinations.
Rather than just browsing through a stream of content that might not match your interests, this function empowers you to actively influence your feed by inputting particular prompts. For example, if you desire more cooking-related videos, simply entering that into the custom feed will urge YouTube to favor comparable content going forward.
Although the eventual popularity of “Your Custom Feed” is uncertain, the option to personalize a YouTube feed has the potential to be transformative. It might offer a more impactful alternative than individually selecting videos and utilizing the “Not interested” or “Don’t recommend channel” features.
YouTube isn’t alone in introducing a tailored feed. Threads was recently observed trialing an algorithm-configuration tool. Furthermore, X is developing a function enabling users to tag its AI chatbot, Grok, to fine-tune their feed.
