YouTube’s Custom Feeds Give You More Control Over the Algorithm

My YouTube algorithm is sacred, with years of data about my preferences and viewing history fermenting into whatever videos it picks for my home screen. YouTube’s algorithm, while not perfect, sure knows what I want to see. The current top three videos on my front page are an Apple Watch analysis, a Big Brother season 28 update, and something called “I Lost to the Muppets” from comedian Chris Fleming. Click. Click. Click. As part of its Made on YouTube event Wednesday, Google released several new features, including a Custom Feeds button for adjusting what videos pop up on your front page. It’s a rare chance for users to directly tweak their algorithmic feed on YouTube, in ways that go beyond just pressing thumbs up on a video or blocking a creator. To try it out, users can click the Your custom feeds button below the search bar and type a request for the feed they’d like to see. YouTube uses large language models to process your request and whip up a freshly personalized homepage. “I want a rainy Shanghai vibe: café jazz, street food, and vlogs,” read one of my suggested prompts. YouTube tested Custom Feeds as an experimental feature earlier this year, before deciding that it was a good fit. The company plans to roll it out soon as an option for all US users, whether viewing on mobile, desktop, or TV. “Users are always telling us that they want more control,” says Emily Moxley, YouTube’s vice president of product management. “They want more ability to steer their algorithm. With custom feeds, we're giving them a natural-language way that they can do that. They can tell us exactly what they want.” So, I told YouTube exactly what I wanted to see: “Gooey macaroni and cheese recipe videos, Caleb Hearon clip compilations, and crystal singing bowl videos under 15 minutes.” And the feed it generated was exactly that. My perfect zen blend for rotting on the couch after a long day. YouTube suggested potential additions to expand my prompt, like “uploaded this month” and “without talking or commentary.” Not bad. The Custom Feeds button sits next to other topic tabs below the search bar, like “Music” and “Podcasts.” Experimenting with this tool doesn’t replace your standard homepage, which you can access anytime by clicking the “All” button. Users can save multiple custom feeds. This feature feels most helpful when blending multiple preferences. It’s better than a standard YouTube search at responding dynamically to complex video requests, whether that’s showing videos on multiple topics under a certain length or attempting to capture a specific vibe for your current mood. YouTube's event for 2026 focused heavily on generative AI features, including expanding the Ask YouTube tool. Launched earlier this year at Google I/O, Ask YouTube is a chatbot-style addition to its search capabilities that lets users ask more specific questions about videos. The tool is now better equipped to answer questions when shopping for specific products. The product team at YouTube also tested a feature that let users directly steer their overall recommendation algorithm, but ultimately decided against shipping it. “We found users were nervous and afraid to do that,” Moxley says. “They were worried about messing it up.” The Custom Feeds button is designed to give users a low-stakes place to experiment. YouTube’s Custom Feeds feature is part of a larger trend of software companies letting users slightly adjust their algorithms using requests sent through generative AI tools. Late last year, Meta launched the Your Algorithm feature on Instagram, letting users adjust the kinds of posts they see. Spotify similarly dropped a Prompted Playlists tool to customize your music-listening habits. [Image text:] - DPremium A Home 8 Shorts Subscriptions> Outside Tonight Wit. Derrick Gee Celebrity Substit.. V Happy Kelli MAJ Show more You> History Playlists O Watch later Liked videos D Your videos Downloads V Show more Explore Shopping Music Movies &TV Show more Search or ask a question CAsk YouTube Q 0 +Create +Custom Feed All Late Night Coziness Podcasts Music Psychology Forensic Science Shopping Comedy Live Restaurant Playlist Cooking Recently uploaded New to you late night ASMR and rain soundscapes Your feed is ready! Adjust the description above to keep exploring CHILL VIBES[lofi beats] 2AM Cassette 2M views1 month ago night time routine my realistic evening resetslow living& baking Chelsea 2M views3 weeks ago late night study session chill lofi hip hop mixes SYNCSOUNDSO 730K views2 months ago 8 HOURS IN RAINY FORKS 8 Hours of Pouring Rain in Forks The Misty Pines 68K views1 month ago 10:00 Late Night Relaxation with Cool Cat Cool Cat 269K views3 weeks ago VOL8 35:40 caught in your orbitsmooth neo-soul & R&B mix LilGrooveRadio 606Kviews1 year ago Dark Academia Classical Music |Study Work MidnightNook 264K views2 years ago SOLO Cozy Gaming Night in Camper During Storm [Relaxing ASMR] Wandering Starlight 160K views3 years ago