A recent change on YouTube significantly impacts how users experience the platform when not signed in to a Google account. Users who access YouTube while logged out, or in incognito mode, no longer see personalized video recommendations.
Previously, even without being signed in, YouTube would suggest videos based on general viewing habits and trends. With the new update, the YouTube homepage has been simplified. Users now encounter a “Get Started” message and the prompt: “Start watching videos to help us build a feed of videos you’ll love.”
This change appears to be an effort by Google to encourage users to sign in to their Google accounts for a more tailored YouTube experience. Personalized recommendations are a core part of YouTube’s algorithm, relying heavily on watch history to suggest relevant content.
