YouTube will let you ask AI to make a custom video feed
YouTube launches an AI feature that generates personalized video feeds from user prompts, available to US users on mobile and desktop with English support.
Article intelligence
Key points
- Users can create custom feeds by entering descriptive prompts like 'help me unwind with guided meditations under 10 minutes'.
- The feature is similar to Spotify's prompted playlists and Instagram's Reels algorithm control.
- Feeds can be pinned to the YouTube homepage for easy access, and prompts can be edited anytime.
- Requires search and watch history enabled; users can report issues via the three-dot menu.
Why it matters
This matters because users can create custom feeds by entering descriptive prompts like 'help me unwind with guided meditations under 10 minutes'.
Technical impact
May affect developer workflows, team collaboration, automation capability, and toolchain choices.
YouTube is launching a new AI feature that creates a personalized video feed based on descriptions of what you want to watch. In its announcement, YouTube says custom content feeds can be built around your specific interests, moods, or favorite topics, which you can then pin to the top of your YouTube homepage — making it easy to jump back into the feed. This feature is currently rolling out with English language support to YouTube users in the US who are signed-in on the YouTube mobile app or desktop. To access it, click on the “Your custom feed” tab at the top of the YouTube homepage and enter a prompt description into the AI text box. For example, you can ask the YouTube AI to “help me unwind with guided meditations under 10 minutes,” or for “deep-dive tech podcasts about AI,” and then receive a curated feed based on your request. It’s similar to other AI-powered feed customization features we’ve seen from other platforms, including Spotify’s prompted playlists. Instagram also gave users more control over their Reels feed algorithm in December, though that uses topic lists rather than descriptive prompts. YouTube says that prompts can be edited at any time to “generate a brand new space” by selecting the text box at the top of your custom feed. To see the “Your custom feed” tab, YouTube says you need to ensure your search and watch history are enabled in your account settings. If the AI messes up your feed request, you can also report the issue to YouTube by clicking the 3-dot menu on the feature tab and selecting “Something wrong?” to leave feedback.