YouTube is rolling out a new homepage, which removes video recommendations, and shows a blank page when users turn off their watch history.
The updated design looks a lot like Google's iconic homepage.
YouTube Now Blocks Video Recos When Watch History is Disabled
As per XDA Developers, the video-sharing juggernaut has introduced a game-changing update to its homepage. The new page ditches the video recommendations for users who turned off their watch history. The recent move is a considerable change for the platform since it has traditionally used watch history to power its recommendations algorithm.
When users' watch history takes a temporary backseat, the YouTube homepage transforms into a page free from the enticing grip of video recommendations, revealing a pristine, minimalist landscape. It looks a lot like the iconic clean Google homepage with the search bar taking center stage.
Gone are the days of being led down the rabbit hole by algorithmically generated suggestions. Instead of seeing thumbnails of recommended content, users can dive into YouTube's vast library with a clean slate. As Tech Crunch reports, the new homepage is much simpler than the current one, with merely a search bar and a left-hand menu with shortcuts to Subscriptions, Shorts, and Library.
Why Did YouTube Remove Video Recommendations on the Homepage?
YouTube announced the homepage update on its support page, saying that the new look "better corresponds" to the watch history preferences of its users.
The Google-owned video service says that some users prefer to turn off their watch history, which helps the platform deliver video recommendations when enabled. The video-sharing giant further explained that the changes "make it more clear which YouTube features rely on watch history to provide video recommendations."
According to Engadget, Google says that the updated homepage is rolling out to its users "slowly, over the next few months." In the meantime, a select number of YouTube viewers are already seeing the substantial change.
Once YouTube dishes out the minimalistic homepage, users may still opt to get their hands on the version that provides various video recommendations. Users may go to the watch history settings to enable it once again. By then, the video service will start saving a history of the videos you have watched.
Meanwhile, if you are a YouTube user tired of seeing video recommendations, you can now turn off your watch history and enjoy a simpler, more focused homepage. The option is a great way to take control of your YouTube experience and only see the videos you are intentionally interested in.
