March 10, 2024 at 06:19PM
YouTube has stopped showing recommended videos for users not logged into a Google account or in Incognito mode. This change has sparked concerns about users feeling pressured to always be signed in. The simple YouTube homepage now lacks video suggestions or tips on what to watch, prompting speculations that this is a move to encourage users to turn on their history settings. Source: BleepingComputer
Based on the meeting notes, the key takeaways are as follows:
1. YouTube is no longer showing recommended videos to users who are logged out of a Google account or using Incognito mode. This has raised concerns about users feeling pressured to always be signed into the service.
2. The new change features a simple YouTube homepage without any video recommendations or tips on what to watch.
3. Even in incognito mode or when not logged in, Google previously displayed video suggestions. However, with the update, users are now prompted with a message saying “Get Started” and “Start watching videos to help us build a feed of videos you’ll love” in incognito mode, with videos no longer being recommended.
4. BleepingComputer’s tests have confirmed that even when searching for something on YouTube, no suggestions are displayed, and the message prompting users to watch more videos persists.
5. Users who have cleaned their search and watch history or turned off their history settings also see no suggestions when logged in.
6. There is speculation that YouTube is being pushy about this in an attempt to make users turn on their history settings.
7. BleepingComputer has contacted Google for more information about the YouTube update, but a reply was not immediately available.