AI is coming for your YouTube feed algorithm, if you want it.
The platform announced a new feature this week that can create a personalized feed based on a prompt describing your interests. In its announcement, YouTube suggests prompts like unwinding after work with 10-minute guided meditations or something different from your usual interests. And you can save your prompt as a pin at the top of your Home page to revisit it.
YouTube unveiled the new feature on Wednesday, along with a few new AI updates, including automatic AI detection and clear labels for AI-generated content. The AI customized feed feature is available now and rolling out to US viewers signed in on the YouTube mobile or desktop app. It’s unclear if or when the feature will be available internationally or on TV apps. A representative for YouTube did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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How YouTube’s new AI feature works
Here’s how it works: You’ll tap the “Your custom feed” chip on the Home page and enter a prompt that describes the video you’re looking for. You can also choose from YouTube’s suggested prompts for a custom feed. YouTube says you can edit the prompt at any time.
To enable the feature, you’ll need to turn your search and watch history on in your account settings. Google recommends using the Help Center if you have trouble using the feature. YouTube hasn’t shared what data will be used to generate the feed or if it will be saved.
YouTube is rolling out other AI features that could shape your experience. Google’s ‘Ask YouTube’ is a search feature that will find the exact part of a video that answers your question.
The trouble with content creation and AI
The big question is what YouTube’s new AI feature will mean for content creators. We’re unsure how the tool will interpret prompts — whether it’s based on your watch history or keywords. Will it focus on videos that are already popular? And will it focus on newer creators or those with high view counts?
AI features are appearing more and more in search engine results, and publishers and creators of content are often seeing their traffic drop as a result. Will a similar outcome happen on YouTube? We’ll have to wait and see.
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