YouTube Launches AI Feature to Build Custom Video Feeds From Text Prompts
YouTube’s AI “custom feed” lets U.S. signed-in users (English) generate a pinned video lineup from text prompts on mobile or desktop, with the feature announced in 2026. It requires search and watch history, supports prompt edits via the top text box, and includes a “Something wrong?” feedback option.
YouTube is rolling out an AI-powered feature that lets users create personalized video feeds by describing what they want to watch in plain text. The feature, announced in 2026, is currently available to signed-in users in the United States accessing YouTube through its mobile app or desktop site, with English language support.
To use it, users navigate to the “Your custom feed” tab at the top of the YouTube homepage and type a prompt into an AI text box. YouTube offers examples such as “help me unwind with guided meditations under 10 minutes” or “deep-dive tech podcasts about AI.” The resulting curated feed can be pinned to the top of the homepage for quick access.
Prompts can be edited at any time by selecting the text box at the top of the custom feed, which YouTube says will “generate a brand new space.” The feature requires that search and watch history be enabled in account settings to appear. If the feed does not match a user’s request, YouTube provides a feedback option accessible through the 3-dot menu on the feature tab, labeled “Something wrong?”
The feature is comparable to similar AI-driven customization tools on other platforms. YouTube’s announcement notes the resemblance to Spotify’s prompted playlists. Instagram also gave users more control over their Reels feed in December, though through topic lists rather than descriptive prompts.
For YouTube users, the feature may offer a more direct way to surface content matched to specific moods or interests, rather than relying solely on the platform’s standard recommendation algorithm.