YouTube Now Testing Colour Codes For Video Types: Here's How It Works

An intriguing aspect of the new feature is its reliance on YouTube's algorithm, which appears to select videos based on the dominant colour in their thumbnails.

Users may encounter a prompt upon updating the YouTube app for the new feature.

A recent update on YouTube's homepage has introduced an innovative feature allowing users to organise videos by colour, enhancing the browsing experience. This new functionality enables viewers to filter content based on the predominant hues of video thumbnails, including options such as Red, Blue, and Green.

Currently in the testing phase, the feature is accessible to a limited number of users, primarily observed on both iPhone and Android devices. Positioned alongside existing filter choices like 'New To You', 'Mixes', and 'Music', this addition appears at the top of the homepage, seamlessly integrated into the user interface. Users may encounter a prompt upon updating the YouTube app, offering them the opportunity to explore the new feature by creating a video page tailored to their colour preference, with options ranging from red, and blue, to green.

Reliance On YouTube's Algo

An intriguing aspect of this feature is its reliance on YouTube's algorithm, which appears to select videos based on the dominant colour in their thumbnails. While it adds visual flair to the platform, the sorting process remains solely based on colour and does not incorporate other factors.

As reported by The Verge, YouTube spokesperson Allison Toh confirmed the availability of the colour-based video feed option, specifying that it is currently accessible to "some users on Android and iOS mobile devices." However, no official statement has been provided regarding the rationale behind its development or potential plans for wider implementation.

Although YouTube's experimentation with colour-coded video feeds is novel, similar approaches are not unprecedented in digital platforms. Comparable methods, such as colour labelling in macOS for organising files and folders, have been employed to enhance user navigation and management.

While the introduction of colour-based sorting on YouTube may offer certain benefits in terms of visual organisation, its appeal and utility may vary among different user demographics.