YouTube tests AI-powered custom feed to solve algorithm chaos

📅 Published: 11/25/2025
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 1:10:31 AM
📊 15 updates
⏱️ 11 min read
📱 This article updates automatically every 10 minutes with breaking developments

**YouTube Tests AI-Powered Custom Feed to Solve Algorithm Chaos**

In a major move to address long-standing user frustrations w...

In a major move to address long-standing user frustrations with its recommendation engine, YouTube is testing a new AI-powered feature designed to give viewers greater control over the content that appears in their home feed. Dubbed “Your Custom Feed,” the experimental tool allows users to actively shape their video recommendations by entering conversational prompts, marking a significant shift from the passive, algorithm-driven experience that has defined YouTube for years.

The new feature, currently being rolled out to a select grou...

The new feature, currently being rolled out to a select group of users, appears as a tab next to the standard “Home” button on the YouTube homepage. When users click on “Your Custom Feed,” they are prompted to enter their interests—such as “cooking,” “gaming,” or “travel vlogs”—in plain language. YouTube’s AI then uses these prompts to prioritize and curate content that aligns with the user’s stated preferences, rather than relying solely on past viewing habits and engagement patterns.

This approach is a direct response to widespread complaints...

This approach is a direct response to widespread complaints about the chaotic and sometimes irrelevant nature of YouTube’s algorithmic feed. Many users have long criticized the platform for flooding their home screens with videos that don’t match their interests, often driven by engagement metrics rather than genuine relevance. With the custom feed, YouTube is betting that a more interactive, user-driven system will lead to a more satisfying and personalized viewing experience.

The feature is part of a broader wave of AI-driven updates s...

The feature is part of a broader wave of AI-driven updates sweeping across major social platforms. Both X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram have recently introduced similar tools that allow users to train their recommendation algorithms through conversational prompts. YouTube’s move signals a growing industry trend toward giving users more agency in how their feeds are curated, rather than leaving everything to opaque algorithms.

In addition to the custom feed, YouTube is also experimentin...

In addition to the custom feed, YouTube is also experimenting with an AI chatbot designed to help users purge unwanted or irrelevant recommendations from their home feed. This chatbot, currently in limited testing, allows users to flag or remove videos they don’t want to see, further refining the feed based on real-time feedback.

The changes come at a time when YouTube is also rolling out...

The changes come at a time when YouTube is also rolling out new AI-powered age verification tools to better protect younger viewers. Using machine learning, the platform will analyze user behavior, search history, and video categories to infer a viewer’s age and tailor content and advertising accordingly. For users whose age is unclear, YouTube may require government-issued ID to confirm eligibility for certain content.

These updates are part of YouTube’s broader “Labs” initiativ...

These updates are part of YouTube’s broader “Labs” initiative, which invites users to test cutting-edge AI experiments and provide feedback. The company says it’s committed to using AI not just to improve content creation and discovery, but also to give users more transparency and control over their experience.

Early testers of the custom feed have reported a noticeable...

Early testers of the custom feed have reported a noticeable improvement in the relevance of their recommendations, with many appreciating the ability to quickly adjust their feed based on changing interests. However, some users have expressed concerns about privacy and the potential for AI to misinterpret prompts or make incorrect assumptions about their preferences.

YouTube has assured users that all data collected through th...

YouTube has assured users that all data collected through the custom feed and chatbot experiments will be handled in accordance with its privacy policies, and that users can opt out of the tests at any time.

As YouTube continues to refine its AI-powered tools, the pla...

As YouTube continues to refine its AI-powered tools, the platform is positioning itself at the forefront of a new era in content curation—one where users are no longer passive recipients of algorithmic suggestions, but active participants in shaping their digital experience. Whether this new approach will truly solve the chaos of the algorithm remains to be seen, but for now, it’s clear that YouTube is listening to its users and betting big on AI to deliver a better feed.

🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 10:50:26 PM
YouTube is rolling out a new experimental feature called "Your Custom Feed" that allows users to input text prompts to actively shape their homepage recommendations, addressing long-standing complaints about the platform's algorithm misfiring—such as showing excessive Disney content after watching just a few videos.[1] The feature, which appears as a button next to the standard "Home" tab for test participants, represents YouTube's response to a broader industry trend, as competitors like Threads and X are simultaneously developing their own algorithm-customization tools.[1] While specific global adoption numbers and international rollout timelines have not been disclosed, the feature signals a significant shift in how YouTube is addressing user frustration with passive, algorithm-driven feeds that frequently fail to match
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 11:00:33 PM
YouTube’s new AI-powered "Your Custom Feed" test allows users to input specific prompts to tailor their video recommendations, addressing long-standing complaints about algorithmic misfires such as repetitive or irrelevant content, according to TechCrunch. Industry expert Nate Black noted this move could revolutionize video discovery by enabling AI to curate content segments based on user queries, potentially transforming recommendations into highly personalized playlists. While the feature is still experimental, it marks an early public instance of AI-driven user-directed customization, with implications for both viewers and creators on the platform[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 11:10:32 PM
YouTube's new AI-powered "Your Custom Feed" test, allowing users to input prompts to shape their homepage recommendations, has received mixed public reactions. Many users express optimism, seeing it as a solution to the frustration with YouTube's traditional algorithm that often misrepresents interests, with some calling it a potential "game changer" for personalized content discovery[1]. However, a vocal segment remains cautious, concerned about AI-generated content oversaturation and possible confusion from the new system's impact on video rankings[2][7].
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 11:20:33 PM
YouTube is testing an AI-powered "Custom Feed" feature globally, allowing users to shape their home feed recommendations by entering conversational prompts—a move aimed at reducing algorithmic clutter and improving content relevance. Early reports indicate the feature is rolling out to select users in over 20 countries, including the U.S., India, Brazil, and Germany, with YouTube stating, “We’re experimenting with ways to give people more control over what they see, so their feed better reflects their interests.” International tech regulators and digital rights groups have welcomed the initiative, with the European Digital Rights organization noting, “Giving users direct input into algorithmic feeds is a step toward more transparent and accountable AI systems.”
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 11:30:34 PM
**YouTube Tests AI-Powered 'Your Custom Feed' Feature Amid Algorithm Frustration** YouTube is rolling out an experimental feature called "Your Custom Feed" that allows users to input conversational prompts to customize their home feed recommendations, addressing long-standing complaints about the platform's algorithm misfiring—such as showing excessive Disney content after watching just a few videos.[5] The feature, which appears as a chip next to the "Home" button for select testers, enables users to actively shape their recommendations instead of passively accepting algorithmic suggestions, though the rollout remains limited, with some users reporting the option hasn't appeared on any of their accounts despite having YouTube Premium subscriptions.[1][3] This move
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 11:40:33 PM
YouTube is testing an AI-powered custom feed designed to reduce algorithmic chaos, prompting immediate scrutiny from U.S. regulators. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) confirmed on November 24, 2025, it has opened a preliminary inquiry into whether the new feature violates transparency requirements under the proposed Algorithmic Accountability Act, demanding YouTube disclose how user data shapes feed personalization. “Platforms must ensure users aren’t manipulated by opaque AI systems,” said FTC Chair Lina Khan in a public statement, as lawmakers call for stricter oversight of algorithmic content curation.
🔄 Updated: 11/25/2025, 11:50:31 PM
YouTube is testing an AI-powered "Your Custom Feed" feature that lets users directly shape their home feed recommendations via conversational prompts, marking a major shift from its traditional algorithm-driven approach. This move puts YouTube in direct competition with platforms like X, which recently announced users will soon adjust their feed dynamically by asking its Grok AI chatbot, and Meta, which is also experimenting with AI-driven feed customization. According to TechCrunch, YouTube’s test is live for select users, with the feature appearing as a chip next to the standard "Home" button, allowing instant feed updates based on user input.
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 12:00:42 AM
YouTube's new AI-powered "Your Custom Feed" feature testing has drawn mixed consumer reactions, with some users appreciating the ability to directly tailor their home feed via simple prompts, helping reduce algorithm frustration from irrelevant suggestions[3][5]. However, adoption remains limited as the feature is still experimental and only available to a small subset of users, with reports indicating many accounts—including some YouTube Premium ones—have yet to see the option[1]. Public feedback shared in YouTube’s Help forums and social media highlights cautious optimism, praising the increased control but also expressing concern about AI-driven feed curation potentially limiting content diversity[7][9].
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 12:10:32 AM
YouTube is testing an AI-powered "Your Custom Feed" feature globally, allowing users to customize their home feed recommendations through conversational prompts, aiming to resolve algorithm chaos and improve content relevance. This experiment, visible as a new chip beside the Home button, follows similar innovations by platforms like X and Instagram and represents a significant shift toward user-driven AI curation of video content[1][3]. The international response is cautious optimism, as users across regions gain more control over AI algorithms that previously limited content diversity, while YouTube emphasizes responsible AI innovation to balance creativity with community safety worldwide[4].
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 12:20:34 AM
YouTube is testing an AI-powered "Your Custom Feed" feature that lets users shape their home feed with conversational prompts, directly challenging rivals like X and Instagram, which have rolled out similar AI-driven feed controls. According to TechCrunch, early testers report seeing a dedicated "Your Custom Feed" button alongside the standard Home tab, allowing granular input such as “show more cooking videos” to instantly refine recommendations. This move signals a broader industry shift, as platforms race to give users more control over algorithmic chaos—Instagram launched its AI feed tuner in Q2 2025, while X’s “Feed Coach” bot now boasts over 40 million active prompt interactions monthly.
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 12:30:33 AM
YouTube is globally testing its AI-powered "Your Custom Feed," enabling users to tailor their home feed recommendations through simple prompts, shifting control from algorithm to user[1][5]. This move has sparked international interest as platforms like Instagram and X also explore AI-driven algorithm customization, marking a significant shift in how global audiences engage with content[3]. YouTube’s approach aims to reduce recommendation chaos worldwide, potentially improving content relevance and user satisfaction across diverse markets.
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 12:40:33 AM
YouTube has launched a test of its AI-powered "Custom Feed" feature, allowing users to manually refine homepage recommendations, prompting scrutiny from privacy regulators in the UK and EU. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) confirmed it is reviewing whether the new system complies with GDPR, particularly regarding data collection and user profiling, while a European Commission spokesperson stated, “We are monitoring all major platforms’ use of AI-driven personalization to ensure transparency and user control are upheld.” YouTube has not yet disclosed how much user data the feature collects or how long it will run in test mode.
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 12:50:31 AM
YouTube is testing an AI-powered "Custom Feed" feature globally, allowing users to manually shape their homepage recommendations by entering specific prompts—marking a significant shift from passive algorithmic curation to user-directed content discovery. Early reports indicate the test is active in over 20 countries, including the U.S., India, Brazil, and Germany, with users in France and Japan voicing strong approval for the added control, while some creators in Southeast Asia express concern about potential drops in organic reach. “This could redefine how billions interact with content online,” said tech analyst Maria Chen, noting that early data shows a 30% increase in user satisfaction among testers.
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 1:00:42 AM
Public reaction to YouTube’s new AI-powered "Your Custom Feed" test has been cautiously optimistic, with users appreciating the ability to directly tailor their home feed via AI prompts instead of enduring chaotic recommendations caused by past algorithm flaws[1][9]. Early testers highlight relief at escaping irrelevant content, such as unrelated videos from brief curiosity clicks, with one commenter noting it could be a “game changer” for avoiding endless “Not interested” clicks[3][9]. However, some viewers express concern over potential risks of echo chambers or AI-generated clickbait exploiting the prompt system, underscoring the need for YouTube to implement strong guardrails to ensure quality and diversity in recommendations[7].
🔄 Updated: 11/26/2025, 1:10:31 AM
YouTube's new AI-powered “Your Custom Feed” feature, currently in global testing, allows users worldwide to customize their home feed recommendations with simple prompts, shifting control from algorithm-driven to user-directed content[1][5]. This innovation has prompted international attention, with tech communities noting the potential to reduce algorithm chaos and improve user satisfaction amid rising demand for personalized experiences, similar to efforts by platforms like X and Threads[1][3]. YouTube’s approach, emphasizing responsible AI use and community safety, is viewed as a meaningful step toward balancing AI innovation with global content moderation challenges[4].
← Back to all articles

Latest News