Are you ever overwhelmed by choice? Think Netflix or sushi or YouTube. There’s so much to choose from. How do you pick without being disappointed? Usually it’s good to get a recommendation. With that in mind, YouTube is testing a new feature: the Explore Tab.
Announcing…
Tom Leung, YouTube’s Director of Product Management and host of the Creator Insider, talks about Explore.
How Does it Work?
Leung says the purpose of Explore is to expose a viewer to new material they wouldn’t otherwise see. However, it’s still based on viewing activity so you won’t get suggestions out of left field. After all, we need some help navigating the more than three hundred hours worth of videos uploaded to YouTube every minute.
Usually, YouTube recommendations are for the videos created by people you’ve watched before. Explore is an experimental tab that helps a user find new channels and videos by helping you “broaden your horizons” with a kind of choose your own adventure format. Instead of giving you a list of videos that cater to your established viewing habits, YouTube lets you choose between a variety of topics and channels.
Where Can I Find the Explore Tab?
Explore is being tested on one percent of mobile users on iOS. If you’re part of this elite group, you’ll see an Explore Tab has taken over where you would usually see the Trending Tab at the bottom of your app screen. Don’t worry if you love the Trending feature! All of that information and content is being housed in a section of Explore. The experiment is expected to remain active for the next few weeks.
Feedback
YouTube is asking for user feedback on the Explore Tab from those chosen to be part of the trial. YouTubers aren’t known for being shy, so I’m sure they’ll let those in charge know how they feel about this test. If successful, Explore could roll out to all users. Expect to hear soon if this feature is a keeper. No news yet on whether those using android will also get a tryout.
- YouTube has over a billion users
- The first video was uploaded April 23, 2005
- YouTube had to upgrade it’s view counter after the music video “Gangnam Style” broke it
- YouTube can be navigated in over 75 languages
- Stars created by YouTube: Grumpy Cat, Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle, NFL placekicker Havard Rugland, model Kate Upton
- YouTube is the second largest search engine (Google is #1)
Trying New Things
Innovation is a good thing. Not every experiment is successful, but you never know unless you try. We love to try new things at Key West Video. If you want to hear about some of our ideas when it comes to corporate video, give us a call today.
