New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….

Original story (published on November 24, 2022) follows:

Before returning a result, the YouTube Search algorithm considers a variety of parameters. It prioritizes these three main factors when it comes to ranking its search results: Relevance, Engagement, and Quality.

Well, now it is coming to light that there might be an issue with it.

YouTube irrelevant search predictions

Several YouTube users are now reporting that they are seeing irrelevant search suggestions or predictions when trying to search for anything on the platform (1,2,3,4,5,6,7).

YouTube search issue
Source (Click/tap to view)

YouTube users have reported that the search suggestion has been all over the place recently, with the algorithm suggesting topics that they have never even searched for.

Most of those affected say that they get search suggestions predominantly in Arabic even when they never search in that language.

This issue appears to have popped up in the last few days if the reports are anything to go by and has been affecting YouTube users across all platforms.

What is up with my YT search predictions? I don’t speak nor write arabic, nor have I ever searched for anything remotely close to what it is suggesting. I am usually into Tech or Music videos. My recommendations are still alright. It’s only the search predictions. YouTube??
Source

Weird Search Predictions. So these search suggestions just popped up out of nowhere and are super weird, is there anything I should be worried about or is it just YouTube pulling some dumb stuff?
Source

YouTube faced a similar issue where only the first few videos in the search results were related to the search. The rest were basically off-topic or non-essential recommended videos.

Also, YouTube support has been recommending that affected users should report such results using these steps:

1. In the search bar, at the bottom of the prediction box, click Report inappropriate predictions.
2. Provide your feedback, then click Send.
Source

We hope YouTube addresses this issue quickly as it’s a major flaw in the functioning of the platform. Unfortunately, we haven’t come across a workaround at this moment.

That being said, stay tuned to PiunikaWeb to know if and when there are any further developments regarding the issue.

Update 1 (Dec. 9, 2022)

06:13 pm (IST): YouTube has acknowledged the issue where it was showing irrelevant search predictions or suggestions to its users. The team said that it is currently investigating the bug.

thx for flagging! we’re seeing similar reports from other users and the Product team is investigating rn. stay tuned for an update from us
Source

Update 2 (Apr. 7, 2023)

05:08 pm (IST): In the last few hours, some YouTube users have been getting again irrelevant predictions in the search bar (1, 2, 3, 4).

Interestingly, they are all getting the same search suggestions: ‘blue bettle trailer reaction’, ‘lifeweaver’, and ‘shane mchamon injury’, as if those searches were being promoted by YouTube.

However, it seems that the YouTube team was not aware of this. In fact, they are recommending affected users to try clearing the YouTube search history and restarting the app, but it’s not working.

Note: We have more such stories in our dedicated YouTube section so be sure to follow them as well.

PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.

Karanjot Sidhu
937 Posts

A computer science engineer who loves tech and won't stop talking about it. Apart from being a nerd, i love gaming and watching movies in my free time.

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