YouTube rolls out custom feeds for signed-in US viewers

YouTube is beginning to roll out custom feeds that viewers create by describing topics, channels or a mood in their own words. The initial rollout covers signed-in viewers in the United States using English on mobile and desktop, according to 9to5Google’s October 22 report.

The rollout also changes where mobile viewers find their subscriptions. Subscriptions has appeared in the bottom navigation bar since 2017; in the Android and iOS redesign, it moves to the top bar of Home, labelled “Subs” immediately after “Home”.

How to create and keep a feed

To create a feed, viewers tap the “+” button at the top of Home and type what they want to see. The report gives the example of asking for guided meditations under 10 minutes to unwind after work. Viewers can later change the request using the text box at the top of that feed.

Saved custom feeds appear as tabs after Home and Subs, so viewers can return to them rather than start a new request each time. The feeds also sync between mobile and the web.

The number of active custom feeds viewers can save depends on their account:

Availability will expand to more countries after the initial US rollout, 9to5Google reports.