redhydride

has your YouTube consumption decreased after implementing the "no history, no recommendations" feature?

https://lemmy.ml/post/4061164

has your YouTube consumption decreased after implementing the "no history, no recommendations" feature? - Lemmy

I noticed my consumption has decased quite a bit. I would visit regularly to watch content from few channels. I would probably still visit every so often to watch the new videos. But the experience has become more deliberate and conscious. I go to YouTube because I want to go and watch something specific. Mindlessly browsing and watching additional content is harder. This is good progress from Google to get off their platform :)

Aug 29, 2023 at 1:43amWeb
Show threadeleanorAug 29, 2023
I never went to the homepage unless I accidentally landed there because of autofill. I normally just go straight to subscriptions. There are still recommendations under videos, so I check that out every so often, mostly because my secondary monitor is portrait and I can see them under the video
Show threadalianneAug 29, 2023
Same, the subscription page is essentially my homepage. It has exactly the content I want on it, and I can always use the sidebar recommendations if I feel like browsing for something new after my queue is complete.
Show threadcobysevAug 29, 2023

This is my standard. Subscriptions or bust.

There was a time, maybe 5+ years ago, when I’d occasionally go to YouTube’s homepage, right-click every video in the feed, and select “don’t recommend channel.” After doing that off and on for a year or so, I suddenly found myself with an empty homepage. Absolutely no videos would load, just a blank white screen with a YouTube search bar at the top. It was glorious.

That is, until Google updated YouTube and it removed all my preferences. Now I have unlimited video recommendations on my homepage and I can’t seem to make them all go away anymore. #BringBackOldYouTube

Show threadSteleTroviloAug 29, 2023
As someone who routinely watches YT through Invidious and NewPipe, I haven’t changed my habits.
Show threadBradAug 29, 2023
NewPipe user here, and same thing. It’s amazing.
Show threadredhydrideAug 29, 2023
Yeah, I catch myself sometimes to switch to NewPipe. But sometimes the videos just don’t play. And sometimes it works fine
Show threadctr1Aug 29, 2023
Major bugs usually get fixed pretty quickly- I usually download the latest version from GitHub. And Invidious can work as an alternative most of the time, but some instances work better than others
Show threadGunpachiAug 29, 2023

Yes, I’ve experienced that too. Newpipe generally functions smoothly on my phone, working around 98% of the time. However, when I opt for invidious, the videos sometimes doesn’t play.

Recently, I’ve been leaning towards using Freetube more. I’ve configured it to include invidious in the settings. It appears that it seamlessly switches between different invidious instances, ensuring an better user experience than just using a normal invidious instance.

Show threadPantherinaAug 29, 2023
Was unusable for some weeks once, now fixed again and just works. Sometimes crashes but videos always play
Show threadninetynineAug 29, 2023
I’ve noticed a lot of users on here actually really like the lack of recommendations. My use hasn’t gone down but I do miss having videos on the YouTube main page, particularly on my PC.
Show threadMataVatnikAug 29, 2023
No, the recommendations became shit ever since I put on ad blocker so I wasn’t really using them. If anything, now with history off I actually pay closer attention to the people I’m subscribed to since there is a subscription tag that I didn’t realize I was ignoring.
Show threadd3Xt3rAug 29, 2023
Nope. I’ve always had my history disabled, so my homepage was always full off clickbait junk which I never paid attention to. Usually I find new content by searching for stuff that I’m actually interested in, or by recommendations IRL or online.
Show thread∟⊔⊤∦∣≶Aug 29, 2023
I mostly use Odysee, so no change for me.
Show threadctr1Aug 29, 2023
I stopped using recommendations years ago and only use NewPipe and Invidious. I did notice a reduction in my watch time, but there is plenty to watch when using a subscription-only feed. I havent added very many channels to my list since then, but discovery is not worth the privacy costs. Hoping to leave the platform eventually
Show threadUnforeseenAug 29, 2023

You talk about leaving like it’s an addiction, but it sounds like you enjoy the content.

I have a few subs that I enjoy, but it’s not like I can find replacements like I did with twitter and Reddit.

Hoping to leave how? Just by not watching anything, or just hopeful of a replacement?

Show threadctr1Aug 29, 2023

Haha yeah, nicely put. I do enjoy the content, mostly because I’ve been following these creators for some time, but it’s hard to find a replacement for it… there is a lot of great content there, but it does make me feel gross using it. And same, I had no problem finding an alternative for Reddit (this), probably because I was not very attached to individual creators there.

I’m hoping a decentralized solution gains traction, but in the meantime I’ve been trying to limit the amount of information I share with the platform. I’m not actively trying to restrict my usage (most of that was achieved when I stopped using an account), but maybe it’s a good idea to do so. I mostly use it when eating or going to sleep, and there are better ways to occupy that time.

Show threadmr_sparkleAug 29, 2023
I haven’t been on YouTube in over a month but it’s because the ads were getting way out of control.
Show threadtrashcanAug 29, 2023
I use YouTube every day and haven’t see an ad once.
Show threadshashi154263Aug 29, 2023
Then you’re definitely using adblocker or Premium. Because YouTube shows ads before (and sometimes after also) almost every video.
Show threadMisterChiefAug 29, 2023
Not sure what your platform of choice is but unlock origin for firefox or youtube revanced for phone are 2 great ways to remove ads.
Show threadRickRussell_CAAug 29, 2023
Yeah, I use the regular Youtube client more frequently, because my senses aren't assaulted by a crapass load of thumbnails of dumb stuff.
Show threadDrinvictusAug 29, 2023
Nah recommendations are shit anyway. I just watch my subscriptions
Show threadChozoAug 29, 2023

I actually like the recommendations. I usually only get content that's relevant to my interests, and I'm always finding new channels that are interesting and worth my sub.

Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing differently from everybody else, because I never see much of the spammy/irrelevant content everyone else seems to be getting. Or maybe I'm just easy to please.

Show threadtrashcanAug 29, 2023
I have the same experience and I’m wondering if it’s because I’m not American?
Show threadOsa-Eris-Xero512Aug 29, 2023
I also have a good experience with it and am American. But I also pay for premium for my family and I wonder if it's not pushing contentious shit to maximize watch time because they already have my money?
Show threaddingusAug 29, 2023
I’m American. I use adblockers extensively and do not pay for premium. I’ve always enjoyed my recommendations and they have always been very relevant to my interests. I don’t get spammy content.
Show threadMeatsOfRageAug 29, 2023
Same. I usually find something in the first 4 results that are relevant and interesting. Only thing I wish it did more is expand a bit. It heavily favors stuff related to what you’ve watched very recently. There’s some channels I love but completely forget about because I haven’t played them in a little where.
Show threadjerebear39Aug 29, 2023
My recommendation is broken. It just repeated what I’d been watching and never nothing new. I don’t know why my algorithm is broken. I have gotten to the point of watching more movies and tv shows at this point.
Show threadtrimmerfrostAug 29, 2023
There’s a new tab. That might fix your issue
Show threadbermudaAug 29, 2023
I love long form comedy content but it does nothing but recommend 30 second clip content. It’s absurd. I just can’t like and interact with the videos I actually like enough.
Show threadproleAug 29, 2023

Then tell it you don’t like those channels and thumbs down the short stuff you don’t want, and thumbs up the long stuff you do.

Remove the “shorts” section entirely (I know you can with vanced, forget about vanilla) if those are the 30 sec videos you mean. I hate them and ignore them entirely. Simple.

It’s really not hard to get YouTube to be a pretty damn good recommendation engine. You just have to give it some constraints.

Show threadbermudaAug 29, 2023

Me: I interact negatively and it doesn’t work

You: then just interact negatively.

Show threadVery_Bad_JanetAug 29, 2023

I do a search for a specific comedian with the words "full set" in the search terms. I do the search outside of the YT app (e.g., using DDG) and watch it either on Firefox with UBO or I search for it in Newpipe. And then subscribe in Newpipe ( and in the regular YT app so they get a little engagement; I also go in and randomly like a few of their videos).

I don't know what kind of comedy you're into but here's a full Matteo Lane set (I think he's hilarious) - enjoy:

https://youtu.be/K2rxborNVsc

Matteo Lane: Hair Plugs & Heartache | FULL SPECIAL

YouTube
Show threadproleAug 29, 2023

Do you actually tell it what you do and don’t like? If it keeps recommending a channel you don’t like, click the “no more from this channel,” or “don’t recommend things like this” or whatever those options are.

If you do that, as well as thumbs up/down, you get good recommendations. Really not very hard.

Show threadLanternEverywhereAug 29, 2023
I have the opposite experience. YouTube is always pushing dumbass recommendations. I'll go to YouTube when someone links to something in interested in, say some neat demonstration of a old analog synthesizer, and there'll be a couple of slightly interesting suggestions on synths, I'll click on that and then the recommendations are like "Woah!!! Check out what happens when I stick a synth cable into my butt!!!"
Show threadChozoAug 29, 2023

I only go to YouTube when someone links to a video I'm interested in

I wonder if this is part of the discrepancy, as I use YouTube pretty much all day long. I work from home and pretty much always put some YouTube videos on my TV while I'm working. Maybe YT just has a more robust dataset for my account to filter recommendations better.

"Woah!!! Check out what happens when I stick a synth cable into my butt!!!" And it's not because I ever watch videos like that

You don't gotta hide it. We're all friends here. ;)

Show threadp0opAug 29, 2023
I’m in the same boat. The recommendations don’t bother me too much, except when it recommends me videos I’ve seen in the recent or distant past. Also, when I watch one video from someone, then come to find out they’re part of some right wing culture and end up getting recommended the right wing rabbit hole videos for a few weeks.
Show threadPantherinaAug 29, 2023
Hahaha going to a random invidious recommendations page also only shows tech stuff. Pretty nieche though
Show threadDrQuintAug 29, 2023

Same. I like the recommended stuff, it actually matches my background noise preferences and has changed over time too and landed some shots in the dark.

It has one drawback: Repetition. I watch a dumb and savage 10s clip from an old cartoon, I get 20 clips recommended. And if one was particularly popular, it recommends that one 20 times. Thing is, it switches gears fast, specially if I tell it I’m not interested. It’s the only algorithm that just seems to GET the concept of “give me DIFFERENT trash”.

Show threadberkeleyblueAug 29, 2023
Same for me. Sure there’s crap in there sometimes and because I like some Atheist/Philosophy vontent YT kinda likes to shove Prager U and other religious channels down my throat from time to time. But hesides that, I’m usually quite happpy with my recommendations
Show threaddewritochanAug 29, 2023
not really, i’d been under the impression that you needed history for recommendations up till they sent out the email about it earlier this month, so it’s just always been on.
Show threadCorporateJapanAug 29, 2023
Yes, considerably. Although I still get suggestions through the YouTube app on Apple TV but they are mostly crap anyways.
Show threadXylight (Photon dev)Aug 29, 2023
Yes. No, I’m not gonna turn it back on, even though I really want recommendations back.
Show threadtrimmerfrostAug 29, 2023
Recommendations discovered for me a lot of awesome (useful) channels, people and music. At the same time, it wasted A LOT of my time and energy. The issues outweigh the benefits
Show threadrichAug 29, 2023

Despite using it at its very launch, I’ve never used YouTube at all really before aside from looking at clips I’ve found elsewhere, with full adblock, and uploading game clips for mates as unlisted, because it’s easy

I think I’ve gone too long now without recommendations to be bothering to start. There is so much utter, utter shite peddled by utter, utter cunts that puts me off the entire thing.

Show threadoxjoxAug 29, 2023
I’m watching less because I’m not getting any new or interesting recommendations. I just keep seeing the same stuff over and over again. I hate algorithms. I hate that something is deciding what I should watch while not showing me 99.999% of the other things on the platform.
Show threadBarrelAgedBoredomAug 29, 2023
If you watch on Android get the reVanced app. No ads and skipping features. It’ll skip sponsors, intros, and end credits plus a shit ton more. It’s the stock YouTube UI with really granular control over features
Show threadoxjoxAug 29, 2023
I watch almost exclusively on my AppleTV. I’ve given YT premium a lot of consideration but it’s just a bit too much and I assume the price will continue to increase.
Show threadredhydrideAug 29, 2023
Yes, the ads is a whole another level. Using it without ad-block is not pleasant one bit
Show threadTransient PunkAug 29, 2023
I’ve purposefully avoided the recommended videos for a long time now. They only exist to increase the amount of time you spend watching ads.
Show threadmillieAug 29, 2023

Honestly, my YouTube consumption went down when Hipyo refused to endorse trans rights and then the Linus stuff came out shortly after. The one two punch kind of made me start seeing nearly all YouTube personalities as unhealthily egotistical and probably kinda scummy. There are some creators I like, but at this point I just really don’t care what most of these people think anymore.

I’ll always tune in for Philosophytube or Contrapoints, though. I’m a sucker for the format when it’s done well.

Show threadlwuy9v5Aug 29, 2023
I’ve always just watched things that I wanted to watch from followed channels for the most part 🤷
Show thread1984Aug 29, 2023

I’m almost completely off YouTube already and now I find videos annoying and a waste of time.

I watch videos from udemy to learn something though.

Show threadCarlos SolísAug 29, 2023
I have a list of subscriptions, a rather large one at that. One good day I decided to start trimming the fat and remove accounts I didn’t quite follow, or that made me lose too much time watching them. No need for recommendations if I already have like a thousand channels followed
Show threadShady_ShiroeAug 29, 2023
I have been using Revanced YT to avoid ads which made me watch more YouTube, but with the recent no home feed update I also have been only going on YouTube to watch the few channels I’m subscribed too and specific things I search for.
Show threadryvenAug 29, 2023
Why would I have my watch history turned off? I assumed that Google knows what I watched whether or not I tell them to keep that info available for me.
Show threadfreundTechAug 29, 2023

Before youtube disabled recommendation for people with watch history turned off, having watch history turned off made it so your recommendations were only based on channels you are subscribed to and possibly videos you’ve liked, commented on, …

There are some categories where I only ever search for the category, then watch a video, but never subscribe to any channel. Those videos were never recommended to me. Meanwhile on my girlfriends pc with watch history turned on, as soon as I watch a single video from a channel she’s not subscribed to similar videos appear all over the front page.

Show threadsteboAug 29, 2023
watch history is kinda important to me because sometimes I want to continue watching or rewatch a video at a later time or on my pc instead of my phone and then watch history is the only way to easily find that video
Show threadCaptainAnikiAug 29, 2023
Then save it to a playlist
Show threadsteboAug 29, 2023
How am I supposed to know I want te rewatch it beforehand ?