YouTube’s doing a limited test on a presumably Instagram-inspired feature—an Explore tab.

Discovering effectiveness of discovery

As explained in a Creator Insider clip, YouTube’s Explore tab will be a new way for viewers to discover content that they might otherwise miss, but to do so with the help of an algorithm that filters out the millions of crap that the viewer has no interest in.

It works much the same as other recommendations, but with a broader range of suggestions. That algorithm is, of course, based on profiling compiled from prior viewing habits, among other things.

Helping little creators

YouTube reckon that the Explore tab could help content creators to net new audiences. As well as the well-known ‘trending’ shelf,

it’ll also show a ‘creator on the rise’ shelf. By promoting an emerging creator, it may give smaller creators more opportunity to get a foothold in the platform.

At first, the Explore tab will only be visible to one percent of folks who view YouTube through the official YouTube app on iPhone. It’ll sit on the bottom bar right next to the ‘Home’ tab.

If YouTube’s Explore tab catches on, are we going to see new content strategies emerge to take advantage of it?

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