Your Netflix is Special

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  • čas přidán 29. 01. 2018
  • Watch all my videos ad-free and get exclusive content on Nebula: go.nebula.tv/thomasflight
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    I never realized the extent to which Netflix personalizes its service for each person. In this video I explain how they do, and explore the implications of highly extreme personalization.
    // Additional stock footage brovided by www.shutterstock.com
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Komentáře • 256

  • @volcanosauce00
    @volcanosauce00 Před 6 lety +193

    Netflix: We noticed that you hesitated on The Hateful Eight while you were scrolling, so we updated your home page to include more films directed by Quentin Tarantino.
    Spotify: You listen to Kendrick Lamar, so we recommend Iggy Azalea cuz they both rappers. IDK LOL.

  • @YouFightLikeACow
    @YouFightLikeACow Před 5 lety +134

    Vox just did a video covering this... 10 months after you. You are ahead of the curve, bro.

  • @jmalmsten
    @jmalmsten Před 6 lety +103

    One thing missing is an option of "not interested"... It baffles me that Netflix has yet to add that feature. That one featue, once I discovered it, made the youtube recommendations more useful to me than the subscription feed. If netflix added that, I could so quickly tell them about all of the shows and films that they can never make me watch. Removing ghe clutter of the feed and focusing instead on what actually interests me. And then, maybe my suggestions feed wouldn't be covered in Adam Sandler films.

    • @HCG
      @HCG Před 2 lety +6

      They have had a “not interested” button for as long as I can remember… including three years ago. Rating a title with the thumbs down button does exactly that. Some people seem to think that’s simply a rating similar to CZcams’s like/dislike system, but that’s not true.

    • @peterknutsen3070
      @peterknutsen3070 Před rokem +2

      One thing they’d benefit from, in terms of improving their algorithms, is enabling me to tell them “I watched this movie/docu recently in a non-Netflix context”.
      This tells them to stop showing it to me for the hext 6-48 months (depending on how often they think I re-watch) and also clues them in in terms of how much I like the movie.

    • @dominicwong3604
      @dominicwong3604 Před rokem

      @@peterknutsen3070 not sure how the algorithm works but maybe they gauge that by just relying on people to rate films/shows without watching them first, although it is a very flawed "survey" if true.

  • @alimansouri4199
    @alimansouri4199 Před 6 lety +177

    This video it self felt like a black mirror episode 😂😂

  • @KaioTheRedCrow
    @KaioTheRedCrow Před 6 lety +608

    Am I the only one who thinks my Netflix never guess right the shows and movies that I like?
    the recommendations I get are often not interesting for me and I end up researching movies and shows by my own not based on what the algorithm suggest me.. but it never improves.. seems also like the algorithm prefers what is new or what is most popular.. instead many times I end up watching old things on the platform
    sry for my english btw..

    • @MrBeastknows
      @MrBeastknows Před 6 lety +7

      Kaio I felt like that too for a long while, and I'm talking about a good couple years. But more recently it's been actually doing it right and recommending me shows that I actually like, usually ones with good ratings all around.

    • @JLori-dt4gz
      @JLori-dt4gz Před 6 lety +23

      Same. Mostly the recommended stuff is exactly what I'll never watch. I think this might be because I don't have a ton of actor/genre loyalty and tend to be drawn to new experiences and decent aesthetic/screenwriting quality. I think their algorithm wants to pigeonhole recommendations to "similar theme" boxes. Like getting a bunch of Pablo Escobar movie recs. after watching Narcos. Never gonna bite, Netflix.

    • @Falliiing
      @Falliiing Před 6 lety +13

      I found that taking the time to rate or thumbs up the stuff I actually like will help the algorithm jump start to suggest things that I really wanna watch.
      This helps too when it seems to be stuck suggesting the same things over n over...rate some new shows/movies and itll help it update more.

    • @dimitreze
      @dimitreze Před 6 lety +6

      you should try to vote things that you already watched before Netflix
      it helps a little to improve your preferences

    • @PennyPennyPennyPennyPenny
      @PennyPennyPennyPennyPenny Před 6 lety +2

      Netflix algorithm is probably the most accurate algorithm when it comes to currating a list of movies or shows I might like. literally the only algorithm that seldom lets me down. I try to rate everything I watch so I think it helps. but I do the same on amazon or goodreads and their algorthim has always been trash, even before Goodreads was purchased by amazon.
      n.

  • @simarsingh3742
    @simarsingh3742 Před 6 lety +24

    I feel a little betrayed that the 'trending' section is customised

  • @daniel_netzel
    @daniel_netzel Před 6 lety +22

    God damn dude, this was fantastic. Fascinating topic, excellent execution. Loving this channel man.

  • @VicInCommentSection
    @VicInCommentSection Před 6 lety +42

    I've never heard of this channel until today. This video is very well-made and narrated.

  • @AMatterofFilm
    @AMatterofFilm Před 6 lety +48

    Nice video! I wondered why A Cinderella Story had 5 stars on my gf's Netflix, while Taxi Driver had only half. Weird stuff.

  • @BlueMonkey
    @BlueMonkey Před 6 lety +40

    Fantastic video, Thomas! Fascinating insight into enticing a viewer and keeping them engaged. Keep up the great work!

  • @storytellers1
    @storytellers1 Před 6 lety +121

    Enlightening video Thomas! For months my gf and I have wondered why Netflix insists on showing me these odd custom thumbnails for films/tv series (which at times don't represent the actual content of said films/series well at all). It makes sense now. Also did you do that extreme close-up shot at around 5:50 yourself? Looks awesome - Thomas

    • @ThomasFlight
      @ThomasFlight  Před 6 lety +10

      Glad I could enlighten! I didn't shoot that shot, I got it from the good folks at shutterstock.

  • @brebytheway
    @brebytheway Před 6 lety +18

    I knew Netflix was personalized but had no idea that they had that many alternate thumbnails and that they changed them based on the user, makes sense though

  • @typhoonzebra
    @typhoonzebra Před 6 lety +22

    There are downsides. So many shows I'm very interested in watching or already love hidden away behind a 60% match rating.

  • @ShaMana999
    @ShaMana999 Před 6 lety +46

    Netflix has one of the worst browsable catalog in existence. I can't find anything ever. I can't even find things that i've see netflix has already. I'm left with the impression that the total video choices in netflix is extremely poor.

    • @JustyMe
      @JustyMe Před 6 lety +2

      ShaMana999 I thought I was the only one haha

    • @ShaMana999
      @ShaMana999 Před 6 lety +1

      Eliza H. I take it as a puzzle challenge. You can find the answer but takes a bit of effort

    • @gabobo
      @gabobo Před 6 lety +1

      Netflix is constantly changing their catalog, sometimes removing things you've seen in the past
      It's kinda annoying at times

  • @JacksMovieReviews
    @JacksMovieReviews Před 6 lety +4

    Great video. I always learn something when watching your content.
    For all of you YT creators out there, Netflix thumbnails are A GREAT inspiration for CZcams thumbnails. Look through them to be inspired!

  • @0724shannon
    @0724shannon Před 6 lety +3

    I'm so glad I subscribed to you! This video was so interesting and it made me realize how much companies pay attention to us and our preferences without us even realizing it

  • @YoungBlaze
    @YoungBlaze Před 6 lety +15

    Porn hub needs to adapt this

    • @YoungBlaze
      @YoungBlaze Před 6 lety +1

      Adam Knight me and you! Thats how we found each other on here bro

  • @TheAtZShow
    @TheAtZShow Před 6 lety +1

    FANTASTIC video. 6:30 especially
    Always knew there was something more going on with the thumbnails - makes sense!

  • @davido5317
    @davido5317 Před 6 lety +10

    I find it hard to believe that it's all that customized when the library has been limited to sitcoms, Netflix originals, and B movies... There's not much they can show me

  • @kartikjain7105
    @kartikjain7105 Před 6 lety

    A really different video. Love how u are dealing with such a vast range of topics.

  • @crazyleg2006
    @crazyleg2006 Před 6 lety

    Really good video. Thanks for taking the time to put it up for me and everyone else. It's always nice to find videos and information so articulate and well laid out.

  • @Dirk_diggler97
    @Dirk_diggler97 Před 6 lety

    Holy shit, what an amazing video bro. Everything from the information and explanation of the system, to the amazing insightful and dark ending. Just subscribed, can’t wait for you to blow up

  • @bee475
    @bee475 Před 5 lety +1

    Someone mentioned you in the comments of Vox's video on the dame topic; I'm glad they did!

  • @C4Vendetta
    @C4Vendetta Před 6 lety

    Great video, really interesting subject matter. The effort put into the video really shows.

  • @ResistRevoltRebuild
    @ResistRevoltRebuild Před 6 lety +6

    Really interesting and very well done. ✊

  • @timomegens7723
    @timomegens7723 Před 6 lety

    This is such a high quality production for such a small channel! I sense you will be big someday.

  • @TheDavyStarAnimatons
    @TheDavyStarAnimatons Před 6 lety

    This video has a very pointed warning that I wasn't anticipating when clicking, which makes it all the more powerful. That was a properly fascinating video!

  • @ThePeasallFamily
    @ThePeasallFamily Před 6 lety +3

    This is INTRIGUING! Great video.

  • @nMsFreeStyleZ
    @nMsFreeStyleZ Před 6 lety

    This is pretty cool. Nice video man

  • @peral9728
    @peral9728 Před 6 lety +8

    But why do they keep shoving "TV shows with a strong female lead" as the second category?

  • @ryebread5831
    @ryebread5831 Před 6 lety

    Interesting video. Good production and effort

  • @nathanking9630
    @nathanking9630 Před 6 lety

    Super interesting. Thank you for you insight.

  • @valentinleguizamon9957
    @valentinleguizamon9957 Před 2 měsíci

    holyyyy thanks a lott!!! huge video!! I've watched this one because it was recommended on an AI introductory course.

  • @pkingo1
    @pkingo1 Před 6 lety +11

    Your video showed up seconds after I got a "we've just added a comedy special you might like" from netflix :). I agree with what you say, one should be aware and make deliberate choices. On that note I think I'll do some yoga rather than watching that comedy special :).

  • @boixgenius
    @boixgenius Před 6 lety

    Subscribed. This was an extremely informative video. Very interesting

  • @seafog
    @seafog Před 6 lety

    Great video, I didn't think the artworks were chosen according to your preferences. When I first started Netflix, I was wary of their recommendations, but now I totally trust them. Films that I was having high hopes for, but has low recommendation percentage (like 60%) turns out to be something not what I liked, while the ones that I didn't think would be that good with high recommendation percentage usually becomes a favourite film.

  • @tulasimenon4179
    @tulasimenon4179 Před 4 lety

    Fantastic video, Thomas Flight.I liked it very much.
    Keep it up 👍.

  • @phoebexxlouise
    @phoebexxlouise Před 6 lety +11

    This was brilliant

  • @EMSProductions
    @EMSProductions Před 6 lety

    Absolutely fascinating video! Just discovered you channel and this is really interesting! Definitely shows the almost scary amount of knowledge and control Netflix has over what we see and what we watch. And as you say, when will it go too far?

  • @user-iz1wn1gv7s
    @user-iz1wn1gv7s Před 6 lety

    Well done video man👏

  • @KMHill
    @KMHill Před 6 lety +61

    Nice video on a subject that illustrates the worst effect of technology. It seems that all of the algorithms geared to efficiency through personalization achieve sales growth only through boxing us in, rather than expanding our horizons. Truly a sad state of affairs.

  • @lucanreynolds1341
    @lucanreynolds1341 Před 6 lety +12

    Brilliant video. Very interesting.

  • @DonVitoCS2workshop
    @DonVitoCS2workshop Před 6 lety

    First time I watched a video of yours and I am impressed and very surprised you have such a "low" amount of subscribers.

  • @pcholtz
    @pcholtz Před 6 lety +3

    Incredible content, man. Easily one of the best channels on CZcams.

  • @RE4PER
    @RE4PER Před 6 lety

    Wow you really deserve more subs. This channels quality is up there with Nerdwriter1 and Lessions from the Screenplay for sure.

  • @elijahf
    @elijahf Před 6 lety

    Wet well made and interesting video, you got my sub :)

  • @DarrenSemotiuk
    @DarrenSemotiuk Před 4 lety +2

    Since cancelling Netflix weeks ago I am very productive most evenings.
    But I still found this video eye-opening and engaging.

  • @WhatsSoGreatAboutThat
    @WhatsSoGreatAboutThat Před 6 lety

    This was super interesting!
    I too assumed that Netflix rotated through thumbnails to keep things looking interesting. Hopefully this will make people give something they wouldn't usually watch a shot and find a new thing to like, and partly combat the echo chamber this sort of personalisation usually leads to.
    And I knew the trending list was a lie! There's no way those documentaries are trending. Nice try Netflix! I see you!

  • @momox001
    @momox001 Před 6 lety

    This is some serious quality content. Do one on CZcams!

  • @aaronbaron6468
    @aaronbaron6468 Před 2 lety

    As someone who watches a lot of Netflix shows but pirates stuff this is something so new to me

  • @NexusGas
    @NexusGas Před 6 lety

    Blew my mind at least 5 times..

  • @masteryoda3947
    @masteryoda3947 Před 3 lety +1

    I don't live in the US so it's interesting to see which great movies are on other netflix's. In just this video I can see:
    The Godfather, Okja, Dead Poets Society, The Godfather 2, Gangs of New York, Training Day, The Shawshank Redemption, Lotr, the Truman Show, Willy Wonka, dallas Buyers Club, Batman Begins, Breaking Bad, Spotlight, Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Good Will Hunting, and a ton more

  • @gregg6077
    @gregg6077 Před 6 lety

    Awesome video!

  • @OhHeyItsMattyD
    @OhHeyItsMattyD Před 6 lety

    Same with comedians in cars getting coffee and a typical I get what you're saying the custom thumbnails but they just change for me like it's on a cycle

  • @bon4237
    @bon4237 Před 6 lety +3

    I look for 20 minutes till I don’t find anything and put on an episode of the office

  • @Aravzil
    @Aravzil Před 5 lety

    I truly believe what you mentioned about personalized news is already happening... except everybody is doing it themselves.

  • @TheFizzyGenie
    @TheFizzyGenie Před 6 lety +1

    good quality youtube video thanks!

  • @shahriarazim
    @shahriarazim Před 6 lety

    nice to hear that. customaization was the main reason that i stopped using it.

  • @NicolasCurcioWriter
    @NicolasCurcioWriter Před 6 lety

    This is the best channel on CZcams.

  • @palindrome2599
    @palindrome2599 Před 6 lety +13

    This is great and all, but does Netflix know my dad (being my dad) often forgets to switch accounts and so fills mine with obscene, sub-par bullshite? 😓

    • @lucanreynolds1341
      @lucanreynolds1341 Před 6 lety +1

      Palindrome
      They probably do...they're probably filming

    • @ThomasFlight
      @ThomasFlight  Před 6 lety +5

      I wouldn't be surprised if they try to detect this kind of stuff, and account for it in their recommendations.

    • @SrirachaPichacha
      @SrirachaPichacha Před 4 lety +1

      Palindrome my dad watched a bunch of k dramas on my account :(

  • @cracymonkey1
    @cracymonkey1 Před 6 lety

    Cool video! You just got a new subscriber :)))

  • @AmazingQguy
    @AmazingQguy Před 6 lety

    what a channel!

  • @nimmypriya9052
    @nimmypriya9052 Před 5 lety

    I got a Netflix ad for this 😂😂

  • @wiseshibe3487
    @wiseshibe3487 Před 6 lety

    I had noticed the algorithm a while back, when i stopped watching Netflix for about a month. Nothing was on it that'd interest me, and I was just waiting for the next season of the three shows I watch, or I'd do a quick check if a movie was on there before renting it.
    I ignored netflix other then the searchbar, and it made an interesting result.
    One day, I was bored, and looked trough Netflix. And it based things of my searches, and suddenly it felt like I was overwhelmed with great results. And that feeling stayed with now having finished another series and atleast 7 movies. The system is so truly refined it's just impressive

  • @andreylucass
    @andreylucass Před 6 lety

    Great video.

  • @zoltansos5164
    @zoltansos5164 Před 6 lety +2

    So when will Netflix finally learn that I hate when it quits the fullscreen at the end credits? This is my only wish
    (yes I'm one of those people who stay in the theater as well)

    • @mrcody333cam
      @mrcody333cam Před 4 lety

      Zoltan Sos you realize that you are able to scroll back to the credits screen in the box and do away with that annoying next up feature, yes?
      I’m also bugged by that trick.

  • @anton826
    @anton826 Před 6 lety +8

    How do you structure your Script/Video ? :)

  • @deadchannel4172
    @deadchannel4172 Před 6 lety

    Great video *starts a 2 season binge of daredevil* I'm only human

  • @jessica-mh3os
    @jessica-mh3os Před 6 lety

    Seeing some content there I was wondering - are a lot of shows not available in other countries? I've searched for tons of shows that turn out not to be there - popular ones - that other people seem to have watched on there. Maybe they got removed??

  • @madmaxmedia
    @madmaxmedia Před 2 lety

    I stayed at an AirBnB and turned on the TV to another user’s Netflix, I thought I was in an alternate dimension. I realized that I only see the 1% of the Netflix library that Netflix thinks I might want to watch.

  • @schodes
    @schodes Před 6 lety +2

    Yikes, this is nutty. Great vid señor Flight.

  • @RobyFN2169dtf
    @RobyFN2169dtf Před 6 lety +1

    Bloody brilliant

  • @biggiezsnack
    @biggiezsnack Před 6 lety

    great vid

  • @throughtheveilproductions

    I noticed this type of marketing within Cinemark's app. The thumbnail image shown for a Sunday showtime was different from that shown for a Tuesday showtime.

  • @yossimolcho841
    @yossimolcho841 Před 5 lety

    Amazing

  • @JarradHD
    @JarradHD Před 6 lety +1

    Now i'm going to go watch some Netflix

  • @dolphinocracy
    @dolphinocracy Před 6 lety +6

    Genius

  • @rizkifachriansyah4332
    @rizkifachriansyah4332 Před 6 lety

    Superb video. You just got yourself a new subscriber, Thomas! By the way, can you send me the link to the articles you cited in your video for further reading? I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

  • @johnnyjosefsen7644
    @johnnyjosefsen7644 Před 5 lety +1

    I rarely use Netflix because i have a hard time finding stuff i actually want to watch. I've only really watched stuff that i found by searching because i got a recomendation from elsewhere. 7/10 times i search, fail to find what i want and then i quit.

  • @tylerwiegmann9358
    @tylerwiegmann9358 Před 6 lety

    I got a Hulu ad before this video

  • @Kerosecstacy
    @Kerosecstacy Před 6 lety

    This explains why mine is so messed up. There are more people in the house than me.

  • @Stephcrapattack
    @Stephcrapattack Před 6 lety

    I got a Netflix ad on this

  • @kaneda7368
    @kaneda7368 Před 6 lety

    Basically how ever website works. What advertisers did for online commercial, Netflix did for its content, no surprise.

  • @lucanreynolds1341
    @lucanreynolds1341 Před 6 lety

    I just tested this out and scrolled through my homepage and there's a very obvious trend in relationships between characters (two people or more) in the posters it chooses to show for me...what would that suggest?

  • @patheticallyempathetic8106

    this is a good vid👌

  • @dailyderpin188
    @dailyderpin188 Před 6 lety

    How do you still have some of these shoes? They were removed for me!

  • @JohnDoe-bm5lp
    @JohnDoe-bm5lp Před 6 lety +1

    I like the messages at 5:30 and 6:30

  • @jewman4
    @jewman4 Před 6 lety

    Dope!

  • @carsonphillips8008
    @carsonphillips8008 Před 6 lety +1

    That’s why my Netflix rides the short bus.

  • @wholockedholmes5600
    @wholockedholmes5600 Před 6 lety

    I've noticed that my Netflix seems to put forward art with people's faces and profiles. Parks and Rec? Ron Swanson's Face. Narcos? Pedro Pascal's face. Lovely Bones, The Good Place, The Office, Black Mirror, Broadchruch, Bloodline, Breaking Bad? All of them have the main characters faces on the cover art. I only ever really see aesthetic abstract cover art if I've watched a few seconds of it and never came back to it. But it's true, that does make me more likely to watch it if I see an actor I recognize. I was interested in Peaky Blinders but didn't have much initiative to watch it until I watched a few Tom Hardy films and Netflix began to recommended me Peaky Blinders with pictures of Tom Hardy on the cover.

  • @savage7ecneek437
    @savage7ecneek437 Před 6 lety

    I always wondered why the continue watching is randomly placed

  • @dimitreze
    @dimitreze Před 6 lety

    netflix try to push shows that I clearly never show interest before
    the worst case are the e-mails with recommendations. they are almost always wrong.
    something like Bright was pushed to all his viewers. that shit was everywhere

    • @proudbeaner696
      @proudbeaner696 Před 6 lety

      dimitreze Maybe because you are way to picky and you are ignoring all the good things just because you are so picky.

    • @dimitreze
      @dimitreze Před 6 lety

      I watch a bunch of stuff, I'm not picky
      maybe they should recommend something based on what I watch and not what general audience might like it

    • @proudbeaner696
      @proudbeaner696 Před 6 lety

      dimitreze what do you usually watch ?

  • @SaulBadmon
    @SaulBadmon Před 6 lety

    This is so interesting but I go into Netflix already knowing what I'm watching. For instance, I just finished Boardwalk Empire and needed another GOAT status show so I had decided to start Mad Men before I even opened the Netflix app.

  • @ArtisBMX
    @ArtisBMX Před 6 lety

    dude. I love how you look into GOOD and BAD of what you are talking about. This is called critical thinking. Very smart man. Literally pointing out what it is. Thanks. Subscribed for sure

  • @AvatarLandRazer
    @AvatarLandRazer Před 6 lety

    you are technically looking at the same page...same goes for youtube's index or any profile page. its the same page just different content. its dynamic, takes information you give or have and returns the suited content. only thing that changes is your profile information (information you got) or a url\+ (information you give)

  • @ShaneJoshua1980
    @ShaneJoshua1980 Před 6 lety

    This is insane!

  • @g_manitie1138
    @g_manitie1138 Před 6 lety

    i wish i could choose the thumbnails for the shows cause ive seen some i really like but only like once or twice then theyre gone

  • @queenanacaona8531
    @queenanacaona8531 Před 6 lety

    I go in with what I want to watch

  • @OhHeyItsMattyD
    @OhHeyItsMattyD Před 6 lety

    But the thing is almost every day for example The Walking Dead changes artwork. But pulp fiction I got the one he showed first and it stayed like that

  • @skytheimmortal
    @skytheimmortal Před 6 lety

    I kind of feel like netflix is only looking at the names of movies and tv show because I get recommended a ton of horror stuff (the really creepy ones), which I'm not into, purely because I've watched the death note movie for example. Or I also always get recommended things that I've already watched