i turned off my watch history on the YouTubes a few years ago, or maybe it was just a year ago. anyway, i get recommends for sessions in the right panel but it seems to be entirely based on whatever i’m looking at right then.
when i login to youtube, i get this giant empty panel that says
Your watch history is off
You can change your setting at any time to get the latest videos tailored to you. Learn more
here’s a screen shot
i’m sure it’s supposed to be scary and induce me to change it back to default, but i dig it. approximates an about:blank homepage, but i have my little subscriptions to the side which i don’t really curate, and some lists below.
and it’s honestly been preferable. i generally open YT with something in mind and there’s nothing else there to invite my attention. the suggested panel only populates once i am watching something, and is pretty much just a “if you like what you are seeing right now, here’s some other stuff like it” which is fine and then like every 3rd recommendation is some obviously promoted content that has nothing to do with me. “is your hot dog topping of choice WOKE? [43:02]”
the point being, the more steps i take to de-algo my presence online, the less relevant the pitches are for my attention, and generally the less intrusive it all feels. i’m sure i’m still being tracked, but now i spend zero seconds wondering if what i’m being presented is about my broad media consumption choices.
i turned off my watch history on the YouTubes a few years ago, or maybe it was just a year ago. anyway, i get recommends for sessions in the right panel but it seems to be entirely based on whatever i’m looking at right then.
when i login to youtube, i get this giant empty panel that says
here’s a screen shot
i’m sure it’s supposed to be scary and induce me to change it back to default, but i dig it. approximates an about:blank homepage, but i have my little subscriptions to the side which i don’t really curate, and some lists below.
and it’s honestly been preferable. i generally open YT with something in mind and there’s nothing else there to invite my attention. the suggested panel only populates once i am watching something, and is pretty much just a “if you like what you are seeing right now, here’s some other stuff like it” which is fine and then like every 3rd recommendation is some obviously promoted content that has nothing to do with me. “is your hot dog topping of choice WOKE? [43:02]”
the point being, the more steps i take to de-algo my presence online, the less relevant the pitches are for my attention, and generally the less intrusive it all feels. i’m sure i’m still being tracked, but now i spend zero seconds wondering if what i’m being presented is about my broad media consumption choices.
i’ve been introduced to several bands i like and even some socialist creators by whatever youtube is doing.