Finding a YouTube video that truly fits your interests can be frustrating — and the platform finally seems ready to address that problem. YouTube has begun testing a new experimental feature called “Your Custom Feed,” designed to give users more control over what appears on their homepage.
For years, the platform’s recommendation algorithm has been criticized for misreading user intent. Watching a few Disney clips with a child or briefly exploring a topic can quickly flood your feed with similar videos, even when that’s not what you want. YouTube’s new feature aims to correct these misfires.
How the Custom Feed Works
Participants in the experiment will see a “Your Custom Feed” button beside the regular Home tab. Tapping it opens a new interface where users can enter prompts describing the type of content they’re interested in — such as “cooking tutorials,” “vintage cars,” or “motivational speeches.”
Instead of waiting for the algorithm to guess your taste, you can now actively shape your recommendations in real time.
YouTube says this is a more efficient alternative to the current system, which requires users to individually mark videos as “Not interested” or “Don’t recommend channel.”
A Growing Trend Toward User-Controlled Algorithms
YouTube isn’t the only platform exploring customizable feeds.
- Threads has been spotted testing an algorithm configuration tool.
- X (formerly Twitter) is reportedly developing a feature allowing users to tag its AI chatbot, Grok, to adjust the content they see.
With the growing demand for personalized digital experiences, YouTube’s “Your Custom Feed” could mark a major shift in how users browse the platform — putting control back in the viewer’s hands.
