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John Byrne
Grumpy Old Guy
Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 132610
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| Posted: 05 June 2024 at 12:17pm | IP Logged | 1
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When I first started exploring YouTube, ten or twelve years ago, the opening screen would be a random selection of usually unrelated topics. I found this ideal, as it would invariably lead me to subjects I might not otherwise have explored. Recently, tho, the opening screen asks me to set a specific search. Not as much fun. So, is this how YouTube works, now, or have I accidentally flipped some switch of which I was not aware? As usual, no guesses, please!
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Conrad Teves
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 28 January 2014
Location: United States
Posts: 2202
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| Posted: 05 June 2024 at 12:23pm | IP Logged | 2
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From YouTube itself: Link
The Algorithm is very similar to the ones used on social media.
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John Byrne
Grumpy Old Guy
Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 132610
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| Posted: 05 June 2024 at 12:47pm | IP Logged | 3
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Thanks. This may be because I recently switched to Private browsing.
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Michael Penn
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 12 April 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 12545
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| Posted: 05 June 2024 at 12:49pm | IP Logged | 4
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I've noticed that youtube works its algorithm even if you don't sign in. That's a pity. At the least it should allow pure randomness when not being signed up. One could clear history, and such, and start over. But... [slump]
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Matt Hawes
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 16 April 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 16463
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| Posted: 05 June 2024 at 3:03pm | IP Logged | 5
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I absolutely hate how YouTube's algorithm decides what's best for me with its "suggestions." It's no wonder people get so much misinformation online. Such algorithms keep us all locked in a box, so to speak. Sure, I like certain topics, but I would like to be exposed to something I might not be familiar with about something totally unrelated to what the cookies in my computer tells the algorithm I've searched and watched previously.
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Matt Hawes
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 16 April 2004
Location: United States
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| Posted: 05 June 2024 at 3:05pm | IP Logged | 6
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Michael, the only real way I know to get past the algorithm is to use incognito mode on a browser.
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John Byrne
Grumpy Old Guy
Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 132610
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| Posted: 05 June 2024 at 3:21pm | IP Logged | 7
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I’m reminded of when I bought a nicely sculpted toy horse from Amazon. I wanted to use it for reference. For the next few weeks their suggestions were all ponies. “Aww,” I thought, “they think I’m a twelve year old girl.”
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Brian Floyd
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 07 July 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 8448
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| Posted: 05 June 2024 at 3:35pm | IP Logged | 8
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I hate the algorithm for one particular reason: There's no option to shut off foreign languages. I'm sick of having to click off videos that are in Spanish, Russian, Ukranian, and who knows what else.
Also not thrilled that if I click on something by accident or something I didn't like, I have to go into history (and sometimes then into manage all history) to x out things so it doesn't recommend videos based on those.
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Matt Hawes
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 16 April 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 16463
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| Posted: 05 June 2024 at 3:50pm | IP Logged | 9
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JB: “Aww,” I thought, “they think I’m a twelve year old girl.”
That's too funny!
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Rebecca Jansen
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 12 February 2018
Location: Canada
Posts: 4635
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| Posted: 05 June 2024 at 5:42pm | IP Logged | 10
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The only thing I've been doing to semi change the suggested/'of interest' videos is to search for specific things outside what I have been watching. So if I've been getting too many comic book related things I'll search general history docs or british tv to sort of refresh away from other things. I clicked on a Daily Show that was Trump related once... and was deluged with mostly anti-Trump and late night talk stuff, but after awhile of not clicking any of those things it calmed down a lot. I should just PVR the Daily Show or stream elseway, but even it kind of writes itself where I know most of what a show is going to be.
I understand an algorithm usually keeps people's eyes on a site more often (and thus advertising), but they should make that only part of the offerings, no more than 3/4ths, or even an option to say yes to in the first place.
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Brian Floyd
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 07 July 2006
Location: United States
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| Posted: 05 June 2024 at 6:25pm | IP Logged | 11
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What I hate is I've clicked on plenty of videos then selected `Don't Recommend Channel', mainly because its either foreign language, weather related for an area I'm nowhere near, or just plain old pro-Trump/conservative drivel. And days later, it'll start recommending that crap again. There's a particular right-wing nutjob I wish would just up and go away, because I keep getting recommendations for him after having said `Do not recommend' multiple times.
I once had a video I clicked that on, and not less than 10 minutes later, it popped up again.
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