YouTube adds a custom feeds button

Google announced Custom Feeds at its Made on YouTube event Wednesday. Users can now request specific video types for their homepage instead of relying only on algorithmic picks.

Type what you want to see

Users click the Custom Feeds button below the search bar and type a request. YouTube's large language models process it and generate a personalized homepage matching that description.

It works for complex requests

One suggested prompt was "I want a rainy Shanghai vibe: café jazz, street food, and vlogs." The tool handles multiple topics, mood-based requests, and specific video lengths better than standard search.

“I want a rainy Shanghai vibe: café jazz, street food, and vlogs.”

Users wanted more control

Emily Moxley, YouTube's vice president of product management, says users kept asking for the ability to steer their algorithm. Custom Feeds gives them a natural language way to do that.

“Users are always telling us that they want more control. They want more ability to steer their algorithm.”

YouTube rejected a riskier option

YouTube tested letting users directly adjust their overall recommendation algorithm but decided against it. Users were nervous about breaking their feed, so Custom Feeds offers a low-stakes alternative.

“We found users were nervous and afraid to do that. They were worried about messing it up.”

Rolling out to all US users soon

YouTube plans to release Custom Feeds to all US users on mobile, desktop, and TV. Users can save multiple custom feeds and switch between them and their standard homepage anytime.