YouTube is testing blurred thumbnails for ‘mature content’
YouTube is testing blurred thumbnails for ‘mature content’
YouTube is testing a new feature that blurs thumbnails for mature content search results.
The feature aims to provide safer search experiences for all users, particularly younger or unsuspecting viewers.
The test rollout will blur thumbnails for searches with “sexual themes” but leave the video title, channel name, and description visible.
Viewers will have the option to unblur thumbnails if they choose to do so.
A small number of YouTube viewers will now see blurred thumbnails for certain search query results. | Screenshot: YouTube
YouTube has announced a new experimental feature that’s “aimed at providing safer search experiences for all users.” The service will begin blurring the thumbnails in search results for some queries “that frequently include sexual themes.” According to a recent update in the Community section of YouTube’s Help Center website, the feature is currently being rolled out to a small percentage of viewers.
There are no specifics about what sexual themes may trigger a search to return a list of videos with blurred thumbnails, but YouTube says the video’s title, channel name, and its description will remain visible. Viewers will also have the option to unblur thumbnails.
The goal of the limited test rollout is to “understand whether this type of feature helps users avoid accidentally viewing content that follows YouTube’s Community Guidelines but may be sensitive in nature.” But unlike SafeSearch that can both blur and filter out results on Google’s search engine, YouTube’s new experimental feature won’t omit results. In its current form it’s instead designed to provide an extra layer of protection that prevents younger or unsuspecting users from immediately being presented with content that may be inappropriate.
Q. What is YouTube testing with blurred thumbnails?
A. A new experimental feature aimed at providing safer search experiences for all users.
Q. Who will see blurred thumbnails in search results?
A. A small percentage of YouTube viewers, specifically those who frequently search for content with sexual themes.
Q. Will video titles, channel names, and descriptions remain visible?
A. Yes, these details will still be visible to users, but the thumbnails will be blurred.
Q. Can users unblur thumbnails if they want to?
A. Yes, viewers will have the option to unblur thumbnails.
Q. What is the goal of this experimental feature?
A. To understand whether it helps users avoid accidentally viewing content that follows YouTube’s Community Guidelines but may be sensitive in nature.
Q. How does this feature differ from SafeSearch on Google’s search engine?
A. Unlike SafeSearch, which can both blur and filter out results, YouTube’s new feature only provides an extra layer of protection by blurring thumbnails.
Q. Will the experimental feature omit results or filter them out?
A. No, it won’t omit results; instead, it will provide an additional layer of protection to prevent younger or unsuspecting users from viewing potentially inappropriate content.
Q. What is the purpose of this limited test rollout?
A. To understand whether the feature helps users avoid accidentally viewing sensitive content and to gather feedback on its effectiveness.
Q. Will all YouTube users see blurred thumbnails, or just a select few?
A. Only a small percentage of viewers will see blurred thumbnails in search results during the initial test rollout.
Q. Can anyone opt out of seeing blurred thumbnails if they prefer not to?
A. There is no mention of an option for users to opt out of seeing blurred thumbnails; it appears to be a feature that will be automatically applied to some users.
