[grantlmiller]

This is great. I feel the same way, but have been trying to train the existing YT algorithm. I started using my work email youtube profile to actively subscribe/like/save videos that I want to see more of (about hiring, management, culture, Kubernetes, devtools etc). At the same time I aggressively choose "not interested" and "do not suggest this channel" when the algorithm isn't suggesting what I want (more detail: https://twitter.com/GrantM/status/1325471071265558532).

[jmnicolas]

Don't bother: I tried literally for years to teach the algorithm that I don't eat fish but it stills offer fish cooking videos to this day.

[labster]

Wouldn’t it just be easier to start eating fish?

[jmnicolas]

I'd rather skip a meal than eat fish. In fact the last time I ate fish was 22 years ago during my compulsory military service which I still have nightmares of (but not because of the fish).

So I'll resist the algorithm until the end! ;)

[raunakdag]

Sounds similar to how I trained my TikTok feed while I was playing around with it for a week - repeatedly clicking on not interested for dancing, cooking, and general youth stuff left me with a feed composed of nature videos - pretty cool.

On a side note, tiktok has to have the best recommendation algorithm possible - not good for us, but good as in addicting.

[ChrisLovejoy]

interesting - sounds like you've had good results so far?

[holyDictionary]

In my experience the YouTube algorithm is very easily manipulated. Just scroll through your feed and select "not interested" for what you dislike. The type of content changes very quickly.

[polycaster]

Over the years I’ve probably „blocked“ every single term from the Star Wars universe. Yet as soon as the next iteration of the franchise approaches box offices I find myself flooded with the most absurd cross-marketing videos you can imagine. Not talking about (official) ads. I have the strong impression the algorithm either takes ad campaigns into account — or is being abused by advertisers very successfully.

[pbhjpbhj]

Makes sense, ads are payed per impression, so if a company soaks away more impressions that don't lead to actions then that means more revenue. I guess the trick is to make sure your still - only just - the best cpm around.