Can’t remember the name of your new fave show on Netflix? On the web, sign into your Netflix account, click Account under your profile pic, and then click your pic on the next screen. You’ll see View next to Viewing activity. Pro tip: You can delete shows and movies from this list, too, to improve your recommendations.
Reset your social media algorithms
Still stuck in election season on your social media feed? Or maybe you bought one bottle of perfume and now Big Tech thinks you’re launching a beauty empire. Algorithms are smart, but they don’t know when you’re ready to get back to your regularly scheduled programming, like cat videos and memes. Here’s how to reset your feed and take control of what you see.
Start with Facebook
Goodbye, annoying ads. It only takes a minute to kick out the things you no longer want to see.
🛠️ The fix: Filter your advertising topics by going to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Account Center > Ad Preferences > Customize ads.
Now, on to YouTube
Say your family is staying with you for the holidays and your niece is watching cartoons on your YouTube account all day long. Now that’s all YouTube recommends. Delete your search history to get things back to normal.
🛠️ The fix: On the YouTube app, tap You to bring up your History. Tap the cog icon > Settings > Manage All History. At the bottom, you’ll see DELETE with a blue down arrow. Tap from the dropdown menu to delete videos from today, a custom range or all time. Click X to remove items individually, if you prefer.
Going forward, turn off your viewing history any time you don’t want those vids in your algorithm. You can set your video and search histories to autodelete, too. Now your YouTube is back to how you like it, with my video podcast at the very top. You’ll love it!
TikTok tracks your habits
TikTok’s algorithm is built to keep you on the app. Every time you like, follow or comment on something, it tells the algorithm you’re interested in a video, and more videos like it will pop up on your For You page. Disliking a video or writing a nasty comment doesn’t matter, by the way; you still kept watching.
🛠️ The fix: Reset your feed. Open your Profile in the bottom right corner then press the three lines at the top right > Settings and Privacy > Content Preferences > Refresh Your For You Feed > Continue.
Fine-tune Instagram
Privacy tip: 5 ways you’re being tracked you must stop right now
Online privacy is an oxymoron. For example, an advertiser ID on your phone is supposed to keep your location anonymous. Are you surprised it doesn’t? Me neither. Tap or click here for steps to see and remove your advertiser ID.
Regret streaming that? How to delete what you watched from your Netflix history
You tried out that Netflix show everyone raves about, and you didn’t like it. Now it’s influencing every recommendation that pops up on your feed.
You’re seeing titles you’d never watch in a million years, spoiling the browsing experience. Let’s fix that. Tap or click here to find out how to unlock international Netflix to access more movies and shows.
Netflix knows you're sharing your account - Here's how much you'll be charged for it
Netflix is arguably the biggest streaming platform globally, with just over 220 million users. The U.S. and Canada make up a big slice of the userbase, collectively accounting for 75 million. At $15 per month for a standard subscription, that is a sizeable revenue.
Stream like a pro: 7 Netflix hacks you'll use all the time
No doubt since the coronavirus pandemic hit, you’ve spent more time than you’d care to admit watching Netflix. The streaming service has great hits like “Stranger Things,” “Ozark,” and “The Crown.” Before you sign up for another service, tap or click here for 15 streaming sites that offer free trials.
The privacy secret the streaming services don't want you to know
How much time do you spend binging your favorite shows on streaming services? If you don’t know, check with Netflix, Hulu or Roku — because these companies certainly do.
Streaming services collect user data the same way social media companies do. But unlike social media companies, streaming services have in-depth knowledge about your tastes and viewing habits. Tap or click here to see how long it takes to binge-watch the most popular shows on streaming.