Youtube has undoubtedly emerged as one of the major platforms for online content consumption. With millions of videos uploaded every day, the platform's algorithm makes it easier for users to search for the content that they want to view. However, there have been instances where the auto-completion of the search bar has become too weird to ignore.
For instance, when you type 'Why does', the auto-completion feature suggests different bizarre searches such as 'Why does poop float', 'Why does my cat lick me', or even 'Why does helium make your voice sound funny'. Such weird recommendations might make one question the credibility of the algorithm used by Youtube, but the truth is that it is actually more straightforward than one may think.
To generate these suggestions, Youtube uses various data points gathered from other users' search behaviour. The platform's algorithm analyses the text that has been entered by the user and compares it with the most frequent searches by other users. If the platform notes that a certain combination of keywords has a vast number of related searches, it suggests those to the user automatically.
In a way, these suggestions often act as characterisations of people's curiosities. The auto-complete suggestions shed light on some of the weirdest or rather uncommon things users search for on the platform. Besides, some of these suggestions may prompt a laugh due to the absurdity of a particular combination of keywords while the rest might leave you scratching your head.
It is evident that Youtube has faced controversies over the years regarding its algorithm. For instance, in 2019, it came under scrutiny over how it handled children's content, and the platform had to pay a $170 million fine as a penalty. However, search predictions do not necessarily follow the same pattern as those controversies.
Nonetheless, it is still important to note that these suggestions do not necessarily mean that the content recommended by the platform is harmful, misleading, or inappropriate. Users can still access credible, entertaining, and informative content despite navigating through some ridiculous search predictions.
Ironically, some of the suggestions are not far-fetched and have turned out to be useful. For instance, typing 'life hacks' in the search bar might return some surprising suggestions such as 'life hacks for de-cluttering' or even 'life hacks for pet owners.' These recommendations give users insights on essential life hacks that they probably never thought of before.
In conclusion, Youtube's algorithm will continue to generate weird search predictions for as long as it's based on how people use the platform. Users should, however, not shy away from utilising the platform for the wealth of information available, and they should always employ critical analysis when watching, reading and consuming content online.
