Key Takeaways
- YouTube search filters have been updated based on user feedback, aiming to enhance usability and control over video formats.
- New options include a dedicated Shorts filter and a renamed Sort By menu, now called Prioritize, focusing on user intent.
- The Popularity filter replaces the View count option to highlight well-performing videos based on view count and relevance signals.
- Underused tools like Upload Date – Last Hour and Sort by Rating have been removed to simplify and clarify search functionality.
- YouTube encourages user feedback on these changes, emphasizing that updates improve content discovery across the platform.
YouTube search filters are being updated to improve how users find videos. The search filters update follows user feedback about confusing and ineffective options. The platform aims to enhance search tool reliability and address issues with previous search features.
YouTube search filters add new options
The search filters now include a dedicated Shorts option. The new Shorts filter appears inside the Type menu. Users can choose whether to see Shorts or long form videos in search results. This change gives clearer control over video format options when using these filters for searching.
YouTube also renamed the Sort By menu to Prioritize for improved search filtering. The new name reflects how results are ordered based on user intent. The Prioritize menu focuses on usefulness rather than simple sorting when using search filters.
Another change affects the View count option. The search filters now label this option as Popularity. The Popularity filter highlights videos that perform well for a specific search. YouTube said Popularity is based on view count and relevance signals. These signals include factors such as watch time.
YouTube remove underused tools in the search filters
The search filters were also simplified. The platform removed options that caused confusion or failed to work as expected, leaving only essential filters.
The Upload Date – Last Hour filter is no longer available. Users can still find recent videos using other Upload Date filters with updated YouTube search options. The Sort by Rating filter was also removed. YouTube stated that this option generated complaints and limited value in filtering.
The updated Popularity filter now replaces the need for rating-based sorting, making video discovery through these filtering options more efficient.
How YouTube search filters improve usability
YouTube reorganized the filter menu to improve navigation with search filters. Fewer options reduce clutter. Remaining filters are grouped more clearly. The goal is to help users find content with fewer steps.
The search filters update focuses on consistency, ensuring users should see results that better match expectations. The changes apply to advanced search tools across the platform, reflecting users’ needs.
The rollout and feedback
YouTube encouraged users to try the updated search filters. The company invited feedback as users explore the changes, especially focusing on those with experience using search filters. Additional guidance is available in the YouTube Help Center.
The update was announced by TeamYouTube. No regional limits or rollout schedule were shared. The search filters update, aimed at enhancing usability, reflects ongoing adjustments based on user behavior and feedback.