It only takes a single, unexpected video to skew your YouTube recommendations significantly. If you’ve found yourself drowning in irrelevant suggestions, fret not! I’ve compiled effective strategies that can optimize your recommendations, regardless of how eclectic your viewing choices may be.
Refine Your Liked Videos
Are your interests evolving, leaving your YouTube recommendations in the dust? Perhaps you’ve developed a habit of liking every video you come across, resulting in a cluttered feed of irrelevant content. Here’s how to regain control:
On a desktop, navigate to the sidebar and select Liked videos. Find the three-dot menu next to any video you wish to un-like and choose Remove from Liked videos.
If you’re on mobile, tap your profile picture, go to Playlists, and access the Liked videos playlist. Tap the dots next to the video you want to remove, and select Remove from Liked videos.
Restrict your likes to the most relevant videos, ensuring that only content you truly resonate with appears in your recommendations.
Erase Videos from Your Watch History
Occasionally, you might watch something offbeat, like a news clip, which can clutter your recommendations with similar content. To prevent this, swiftly erase the item from your history:
Head to the History section. Click the X next to any video you wish to remove.
For mobile users, tap your profile icon, find the video you want to remove, tap the dots beside it, and select Remove from watch history.
Indicate Disinterest in Videos
Want to permanently rid yourself of certain content types or channels? You can inform YouTube directly. Click the dots next to any video without opening it, and choose either Not interested or Do not recommend channel.
This two-pronged approach allows you to eliminate recommendations based on specific content or entire channels, significantly enhancing your overall experience.
Temporarily Halt Watch History
When you’re planning to indulge in random videos without disrupting your recommendations, pausing your watch history can be a lifesaver. While nothing is permanently saved during this period, your viewing habits are still monitored by YouTube:
For desktops, click on History in the sidebar and choose Pause watch history. To resume, simply repeat the same steps.
On mobile, tap your profile icon, find View all next to History, click the three-dot menu at the top, and select Pause watch history. Unpause using the same steps.
Activate Incognito Mode
If you need to catch up on a couple of videos without the risk of altering your recommendations, Incognito Mode is a fantastic solution. This feature is available in the YouTube mobile app or through your browser’s Incognito or Private mode:
In the app, tap your profile picture, then select Turn on Incognito. This will create a separate browsing window for your YouTube activities. To disable it, tap the incognito icon and select Turn off Incognito.
Just be aware that if you hold a YouTube Premium subscription, ads may appear during your Incognito sessions.
Start Fresh by Deleting Your YouTube History
If your existing watch history feels overwhelming, erasing it entirely can provide a clean slate. Remember, this action won’t touch your subscriptions or playlists—but it can improve your recommendations significantly:
On desktop, click History in the sidebar, select Clear all watch history, and confirm your choice.
For mobile, tap your profile picture, go to View all next to History, tap the three-dot menu, and choose Clear all watch history.
If you want more control over your history, you can opt for Manage all history to automate deletion after a set time period.
Engage with Videos: Like and Subscribe
To ensure YouTube presents you with more engaging content, like the videos that resonate with you and subscribe to channels of interest. It’s crucial to clarify that subscribing to a channel is entirely free, while the option to join or support a channel typically incurs costs. Your likes and subscriptions not only refine your recommendations but also enhance a channel’s visibility.
Additionally, don’t hesitate to express disapproval by disliking videos you don’t enjoy!
Reduce Short Video Recommendations
If you prefer classic YouTube videos over the short-form content, you can adjust your settings to reflect this preference:
On your desktop, scroll through your feed to the YouTube Shorts section, click the three dots above it, and select Not interested.
On mobile, find the Shorts suggested section, click the three dots, and opt for Show fewer shorts. This will help tailor your feed more to your liking.
Answer YouTube’s Feedback Queries
You may encounter occasional questions from YouTube designed to fine-tune your recommendations. These inquiries may pop up randomly, whether you’re on desktop or mobile:
These questions often ask you to indicate your preferences by selecting videos or channels. While it’s not mandatory to respond, participating can enhance the accuracy of your recommendations.
Consider augmenting your overall YouTube experience with browser extensions or add-ons that enhance functionality and filter content effectively.
Image credit: Pixabay
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I adjust my YouTube recommendations if I dislike certain content?
You can easily inform YouTube by marking videos or channels as “Not interested”through the three-dot menu next to the content.
2. Is there a way to remove all my YouTube history at once?
Yes, you can clear all your watch history by navigating to the History section and selecting “Clear all watch history”on both desktop and mobile.
3. How does liking or subscribing to channels affect my recommendations?
Liking videos and subscribing to channels significantly informs YouTube about your interests, enhancing the relevance of your recommended content.
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