YouTube lets AI build your custom video feed

At a glance:

• YouTube's new AI feature creates personalized video feeds from text prompts like "guided meditations under 10 minutes"
• Rolling out now to US users on mobile and desktop with English language support
• Users must enable search and watch history to access the "Your custom feed" tab

What the new feature does

YouTube is introducing a new layer of AI-driven personalization that allows users to generate custom video feeds by describing what they want to watch. Instead of relying solely on algorithmic recommendations, users can now input free-form text prompts into a dedicated AI text box to curate content tailored to specific moods, interests, or topics. For instance, a user might request "deep-dive tech podcasts about AI" or "calming nature videos for sleep", and YouTube's AI will assemble a feed from existing content that matches the description.

This approach represents a shift toward more explicit user control over content discovery, moving beyond traditional thumbs-up/thumbs-down feedback loops. The custom feeds can be pinned to the top of the YouTube homepage for quick access, and users can edit their prompts at any time to generate entirely new content spaces. The feature is designed to make YouTube's vast library more navigable by letting users articulate their intent rather than scrolling through endless recommendations.

How it compares to other platforms

The feature draws clear parallels to existing AI-powered personalization tools elsewhere in the tech ecosystem. Spotify's "AI Playlist" feature, launched in 2023, similarly allows users to describe their desired listening experience in natural language, generating playlists based on mood, activity, or genre. Meanwhile, Instagram's December 2023 update gave users more granular control over their Reels feed through topic-based selection rather than descriptive prompts.

YouTube's implementation differs in that it operates within a video-first environment where content length, format, and creator context add complexity. While Spotify can surface songs and Instagram can prioritize short-form clips, YouTube must interpret prompts across a spectrum of video types—from educational tutorials to entertainment—potentially offering a broader but more challenging personalization scope.

Access requirements and limitations

Access to the feature is currently restricted to YouTube users in the United States who are signed in on either the YouTube mobile app or desktop site. The feature supports English language prompts exclusively during this initial rollout phase. To locate the "Your custom feed" tab, users must have search and watch history enabled in their account settings, suggesting YouTube relies on historical data to inform the AI's content selections.

If the AI-generated feed misses the mark, users can provide feedback through the 3-dot menu on the feature tab, selecting "Something wrong?" to report issues. This feedback mechanism hints at YouTube's ongoing refinement process for the AI's understanding of user intent, particularly as the system scales beyond its current limited availability.

Broader implications for content discovery

This move reflects the ongoing evolution of AI in content curation, where platforms are experimenting with ways to give users more precise control over their feeds. As concerns around algorithmic echo chambers grow, features like this could offer a middle ground—maintaining personalization while allowing users to explicitly define their boundaries.

However, the success of the feature will likely depend on how accurately YouTube's AI interprets nuanced requests and whether it can consistently deliver relevant content without requiring constant adjustments. The platform's reliance on existing content means it's curating from what's already available rather than generating entirely new material, which could limit the scope of what users can explore through this interface.