Yes, YouTube is ‘experimenting’ with users’ subscriptions feed

Hold onto your hats, folks. Google’s fixing what isn’t broken again.

Facebook did it. Instagram followed. Even Twitter’s done it to an extent. So it was seemingly only a matter of time until Google gave YouTube the algorithm treatment.

In a tweet this week, Team YouTube revealed that the company’s “experimenting” with a non-chronological order for a select number of users’ subscription feeds.

“We are currently experimenting with how to show content in the subs feed,” the company began.

“We find that some viewers are able to more easily find the videos they want to watch when we order the subs feed in a personalized order vs always showing most recent video first, “the company wrote in response to a user query.

Just to clarify. We are currently experimenting with how to show content in the subs feed. We find that some viewers are able to more easily find the videos they want to watch when we order the subs feed in a personalized order vs always showing most recent video first.

— Team YouTube (@TeamYouTube) May 23, 2018

At present, your subscription feed is arranged in descending order, privileging the video that is most recent. This is wholly different from YouTube’s Home Page, which suggests videos to users logged in to the service.

Nevertheless, the user reaction hasn’t been at all positive.

No. That’s an awful idea that is going to hurt creators in the long run and keep viewers from seeing things they would love. Keep recent order. People hated it when instagram did and we miss out on a lot of things we love.

— Jenny Clinkenbeard (@jlclinkenbeard) May 24, 2018

That’s a terrible idea. The home tab already serves the purpose you’re describing – in doing this, you’re duplicating that functionality, whilst removing the (IMO useful) ability to get a quick overview of all the content your subs have released in the past x hours.

— Freddie Dyke (@Freddie_Dyke) May 24, 2018

I use my subscription box to avoid all this algorithmic bullshit you guys keep adding. now you’re adding algorithmic bullshit to the subscription box. i cannot wait for my favourite content creators to leave your platform.

— 14 Cats in a Suit (@FlimandCo) May 24, 2018

Granted, a non-chronological feed does have its advantages.

For some creators who upload less frequently, their videos now have a greater chance of being spotted on the subscriptions feed.

Additionally, it opens another potential revenue door for YouTube. Honestly, who doesn’t love a good potential sponsored video or two within their subs feed?

It’s not a confirmed feature though, but Google has never been shy to go against the majority of its users’ wishes.

Feature image: Memeburn