YouTube new AI feature now lets users control their feed: A step-by-step guide

YouTube is introducing two major AI-driven updates to improve user control and transparency. The first feature lets users customize their video feeds by entering specific prompts, such as 'help me relax after work with meditation videos under 10 minutes' or 'funny videos.' The AI analyzes these requests and generates a personalized feed that users can pin to the top of their homepage, overriding the default algorithm-based recommendations. The second update focuses on AI-generated content detection. YouTube will now make AI labels more prominent on videos where creators disclose AI tool usage, which were previously subtle. Additionally, the platform will automatically apply labels to videos detected as containing 'significant photorealistic AI use,' such as AI-generated people, voices, or scenes, even if creators don’t disclose it. This change aims to address growing concerns about indistinguishable fake content. To access custom feeds, users open the YouTube app, navigate to 'Your custom feed,' and type a prompt or select automated suggestions. The feed adjusts based on preferences and can be edited later. The AI analyzes viewing habits, searches, watch time, likes, comments, and even skipped videos to refine recommendations. These updates follow advancements in AI tools that have made it harder to distinguish real from fake videos. YouTube’s move aligns with broader efforts to improve transparency and user control over content consumption. The changes are part of a broader trend in tech platforms adapting to evolving AI capabilities and user demands for customization.