Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin
Show HN: YouTube private mode Chrome extension (github.com/sauercrowd)
1 point by sauercrowd on March 29, 2024 | hide | past | favorite | 2 comments
I got tired of having to use private mode when checking out new videos on to not potentially ruin my recommendations

So I put together a "private mode" chrome extension, which simply conditionally blocks certain requests to Youtube.

I "found out" which requests by simply looking at all the requests that get fired, and figuring out which one's might be related to recommendations.

I tested this after building by using one a Youtube account and watching a video that's completely out of it's current world of recommendations with and then without private mode enabled to confirm it does what it should.

Current limitation is that it only blocks videos from impacting your recommendations, not searches.

From what I see searches only influences recommendations slightly, but it still does.



Why this instead of just opening it in incognito mode? That doesn't impact your recommendations when watching nor searching and doesn't need an extension


this way you can still see your existing recommendations, but you dont influence them unless you want to

i often start watching a video, enjoying but there's no great flow to then bring it back into your recommendations once youre in a private tab

with the extension you could just toggle mid video if you decide its a good one




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: