YouTube No Longer Recommends Videos to Users With Disabled 'Watch History'

YouTube will stop recommending videos to users whose "watch history" is turned off as part of its latest app development. 

Usually, users would be greeted by thumbnails of suggested videos on their YouTube homepage based on their watch history. They can now opt to disable their watch history and clear their home feed of recommendations.

Instead, a search bar and guide menu containing shortcuts to Shorts, Subscriptions, and Library has been added, "allowing you to more easily search, browse subscribed channels and explore Topic tabs," according to the company.

"We are launching this new experience to make it more clear which YouTube features rely on watch history to provide video recommendations and make it more streamlined for those of you who prefer to search rather than browse recommendations," YouTube stated in an updated help page.

The new feature will begin to roll out starting today and will continue in the coming months. 

"You can change your YouTube watch history settings at any time based on whether you prefer us to provide video recommendations or not," the company added. 

The video streaming giant has been on a roll by launching new features that expand its offerings. 

Last Monday, the company rolled out its "enhanced" 1080p HD option for Premium users - a feature first announced last April.

In the past week, it also began tests on an AI tool that provides users with generated summaries of videos to help them decide whether it piques their interest.