YouTube custom feeds are on the way. At its Made on YouTube event, the company announced that you will soon be able to build your own homepage feeds by describing what you want to watch. The event also brought GIFs in comments, Shorts series, and voice comments on TVs.
How YouTube custom feeds work
Instead of relying only on the main algorithm, you type a conversational prompt. YouTube’s examples include “Witty podcasts for my daily 30-minute commute” and “Help me discover new DIY creators.” You can then save several feeds to your homepage, and each one refreshes with new recommendations automatically.
However, you will have to wait a bit. Custom feeds will reach users in the US on the web, mobile, and TVs “soon,” according to YouTube. The company did not give a firm date.
GIFs in comments and voice comments on TV
Comments are getting an upgrade as well. YouTube is adding GIF replies, and according to Engadget’s report, a searchable GIF library will arrive in the mobile app globally this fall.
Meanwhile, TV viewers can now join the conversation without grabbing a phone. With voice input, you can post comments straight from the big screen. YouTube says that is part of a broader push on TV, where microdrama views jumped more than 90% year over year.
Shorts series and smarter shopping
For creators, Shorts can now be grouped into seasons and episodes. Shorts series add custom thumbnails and sequential playback, so microdramas and serialized clips are easier to follow. The feature is rolling out now on web, mobile, and TV.
Ask YouTube is also becoming a shopping guide. When you search for reviews of a product, it can return organized video picks and a comparison table. You can then keep asking questions from the video’s watch page. That builds on recent moves like Amazon product tags in videos and Shorts.
You can watch the full Made on YouTube keynote below. Together with earlier tweaks like 2x speed in Shorts, the updates show YouTube giving viewers more control over what they watch.
