YouTube Mobile App: New Home Screen and Custom Feeds

Navigation and Content Access

As reported in a Google blog post, the redesign aims to shorten the path to key content directly from the Home tab. The new top bar will feature several fixed entries, including "Live" and "Music." However, the "Movies & TV" section will only appear for users with active paid subscriptions or those who have purchased content via Primetime Channels; otherwise, the entry will be hidden. Additionally, the "Subscriptions" feed will be integrated into the top bar under the shortened name "Subs," making it easier to jump straight to favorite creators.

This update is described by YouTube as the first step in a series of planned adjustments to the Home area, suggesting that further interface refinements are on the horizon.

Custom Feeds via Text Input

A standout feature of the redesign is the introduction of Custom Feeds. By tapping a "+" icon at the top of the Home feed, users can use text input to define the type of content they want to see. For instance, a user could type a prompt like "a guided meditation under ten minutes to help relax after work," and the service will generate a dedicated feed based on that description. These feeds can be saved to the top navigation bar and adjusted later.

The number of available custom feeds depends on the user's subscription status:

• Non-YouTube Premium users can save up to 3 individual feeds.
• YouTube Premium subscribers can save up to 8 feeds.

Custom feeds created on a mobile device will also sync with the desktop version of YouTube, provided the same Google account is used.

Availability and Requirements

Currently, access to Custom Feeds is limited. The rollout has begun in the USA for signed-in users aged 13 and older, provided they use English and have their search history enabled. YouTube plans to expand this feature to other regions and user groups at a later date.