Changing the movies displayed on your Netflix home screen involves manipulating your viewing history and preferences to signal to Netflix’s algorithm what you want to see. It’s not about instantly swapping titles; it’s about training the algorithm to better understand your taste and, consequently, surface relevant content.
Understanding Netflix’s Recommendation Algorithm
Netflix’s recommendation engine is a sophisticated system that analyzes a vast array of data points to personalize your viewing experience. It considers your viewing history, ratings (thumbs up/down), search queries, profile preferences, and even the time of day you typically watch. It also compares your data with millions of other users with similar tastes, creating clusters of viewers who enjoy similar content.
The goal? To maximize your engagement by presenting you with shows and movies you’re likely to enjoy. This leads to longer viewing sessions, higher user satisfaction, and ultimately, more subscriptions. However, this system can sometimes get stuck in a rut, recommending the same types of content over and over again. That’s where actively managing your preferences comes in.
Strategies for Influencing Netflix’s Recommendations
While there’s no magic button to instantly change the movies Netflix suggests, here are several proven strategies to nudge the algorithm in the right direction:
1. Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down: The Power of Ratings
The most direct way to influence Netflix’s recommendations is by actively using the “thumbs up” and “thumbs down” buttons. Every time you finish watching (or even just start watching) a movie or show, take a moment to rate it. A “thumbs up” signals that you enjoyed the content and want to see more like it. A “thumbs down” indicates the opposite, telling Netflix to avoid recommending similar titles in the future. Be diligent and consistent with your ratings. Even if you only watch a portion of a show, rate it based on your initial impression.
2. Remove Shows and Movies from Your Viewing History
Perhaps you let your child watch cartoons on your profile, or maybe you accidentally started a show you quickly realized wasn’t for you. These entries in your viewing history can skew Netflix’s recommendations. To remove them:
- Access Your Account: Log into Netflix on a web browser (not the app).
- Go to Your Profile: Click on your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Account Settings: Select “Account” from the dropdown menu.
- Profile & Parental Controls: Scroll down to the “Profile & Parental Controls” section and select your profile.
- Viewing Activity: Click “Viewing activity.”
- Remove Titles: You’ll see a list of everything you’ve watched. Click the “hide” icon (a crossed-out circle) next to each title you want to remove. You can also choose to hide an entire series.
- Changes may take up to 24 hours: Keep in mind that it can take up to 24 hours for these changes to take effect.
Removing unwanted titles signals to Netflix that you are no longer interested in similar content.
3. Create Separate Profiles
If multiple people use your Netflix account, creating separate profiles is crucial for personalized recommendations. Each person’s viewing activity will be isolated to their profile, preventing cross-contamination of recommendations. This is especially important if you have children using the account, as their viewing habits can drastically alter your suggestions.
4. Search Strategically
Use the search bar to actively seek out movies and genres you want to explore. Even if you don’t watch anything immediately, searching for specific titles or genres indicates your interest to Netflix. This helps the algorithm understand your evolving preferences.
5. Explore Different Genres and Categories
Netflix offers a vast library of content categorized into numerous genres and subgenres. Actively browse through these categories to discover new movies and shows. This expands your viewing history and provides the algorithm with more data points to work with. Look beyond the obvious choices and explore niche genres to find hidden gems.
6. “My List” and Trailers
Adding movies and shows to your “My List” signals interest, even if you don’t watch them immediately. This helps Netflix understand your preferences. Watching trailers also contributes to this signal, indicating that you are considering watching a particular title.
Potential Pitfalls and Troubleshooting
Even with these strategies, it’s possible to encounter some challenges:
1. Algorithm Inertia
Netflix’s algorithm can sometimes be slow to adapt to changes in your preferences, especially if you have a long history of watching similar content. Be patient and persistent with your efforts.
2. Overriding Factors
Sometimes, certain factors, such as trending titles or Netflix originals, can override personalized recommendations. These titles are often heavily promoted and may appear regardless of your viewing history.
3. Profile Glitches
Rarely, there may be glitches with your profile that affect the recommendations. If you suspect this, try clearing your browser cache and cookies or contacting Netflix support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are answers to some common questions about changing movies on Netflix:
FAQ 1: How long does it take for Netflix recommendations to change after I update my viewing history?
Typically, it takes up to 24 hours for changes to your viewing history and ratings to impact Netflix’s recommendations. However, significant shifts in preferences might take longer to be reflected.
FAQ 2: Can I reset my Netflix recommendations entirely?
There’s no single “reset” button. However, creating a brand new profile is the closest thing to a fresh start. This will start with a clean slate, allowing you to train the algorithm from scratch.
FAQ 3: Does watching trailers affect my Netflix recommendations?
Yes, watching trailers signals your interest in a particular movie or show, even if you don’t watch the entire title. It provides the algorithm with additional data points.
FAQ 4: How do I prevent my kids’ viewing habits from affecting my profile’s recommendations?
Create separate profiles for your children and set up parental controls on their profiles. This will isolate their viewing activity and prevent it from influencing your recommendations.
FAQ 5: Is there a way to “block” a specific movie or show from ever appearing in my recommendations?
By giving a title a “thumbs down” and removing it from your viewing history, you’re effectively blocking it from appearing in your recommendations. However, there’s no guarantee it will never appear in promotional materials.
FAQ 6: Does the time of day I watch Netflix affect the recommendations?
Yes, to some extent. Netflix considers the time of day and day of the week when recommending content. For example, it might suggest family-friendly movies during weekend mornings and more adult-oriented content during weeknights.
FAQ 7: What are Netflix “Hidden Categories” and how can I access them?
Netflix uses a complex system of hidden categories based on genre and subgenre. You can access these categories by using specific URLs. For example, a URL for “Critically-acclaimed British Movies” will contain a specific number code relating to that category. Searching online for “Netflix hidden categories” will provide extensive lists.
FAQ 8: Does deleting a profile affect my recommendations on other profiles?
No, deleting a profile does not affect the recommendations on other profiles. Each profile’s data is stored independently.
FAQ 9: How accurate are Netflix’s “Because you watched…” recommendations?
The accuracy of these recommendations varies. While they are based on your viewing history, they can sometimes be off the mark. Actively rating content helps improve the accuracy over time.
FAQ 10: Can I download my Netflix viewing history?
Unfortunately, Netflix does not offer a direct way to download your entire viewing history. However, you can view it online and manually copy and paste the information if needed.
FAQ 11: What happens if multiple people in my household have similar viewing habits?
If multiple people share a profile and have similar tastes, the recommendations will likely be a blend of their preferences. In this case, consider creating separate profiles for more personalized suggestions.
FAQ 12: Is Netflix’s recommendation algorithm constantly evolving?
Yes, Netflix is constantly refining its algorithm to improve the accuracy and relevance of its recommendations. They use machine learning to analyze vast amounts of data and adapt to changing user preferences. This means that the strategies for influencing recommendations may also need to evolve over time.