Netflix Debuts Gen AI-Powered Search Tool, Tests Vertical Videos For Mobile

Netflix has officially launched a new AI-powered search feature that uses OpenAI's ChatGPT to deliver a conversational content discovery experience, allowing users to describe what they're looking for in natural language. The streaming giant is also getting into short videos with a new vertical feed set to rival Instagram Reels and TikTok. TechCrunch reports: Users can enter their preferences using natural phrases like "I want something funny and upbeat" or even more detailed requests, such as "I want something scary, but not too scary, and maybe a little bit funny, but not haha funny." The feature is set to roll out this week to iOS users as an opt-in beta. Some subscribers in Australia and New Zealand have already had access to it, as reported by Bloomberg last month. [...] Additionally, at the tech and product event, the company mentioned plans to use generative AI to update title cards in subscribers' preferred languages. Other features revealed on Wednesday include a short-form video feed for mobile users and a redesign of its TV homepage.

Netflix's new mobile-only vertical feed allows users to easily scroll through clips of its original titles. Within this feed, users can tap on buttons to watch the entire show or movie immediately, save it to their "My List," or share it with friends. Of note is that the clips are curated from the "Today's Top Picks for You" section rather than being chosen from Netflix's entire library. This approach makes it specifically tailored to each user, ultimately encouraging viewers to watch the full shows.

Tests Vertical Videos For Mobile?

[schwit1]

How about turning the phone sideways.

Re:

[Rinnon]

Turn your phone sideways? Okay boomer. /s

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

Because it's a pain in the ass to hold a phone sideways

You have small hands, Donald.

Re:

[rossdee]

Why doesn't someone make a little handle that you can stick on the back of a phone or tablet to make it easier to hold it in the landscape orientation.

(And manufacture it in the USA so you don't have to pay tariffs)

Re:

[nospam007]

Exactly, they're holding it wrong.

Wow, that sounds so useful

[TheMiddleRoad]

I mean, Netflix has been so hard to use, I'm glad they're making it even easier. Otherwise they would not be prepared for Idiocracy.

Great idea

[Liket]

Pan-and-scan like it's 1985

You may also like...

[Tony Isaac]

The problem with their old search is not going to be fixed by AI. The problem is that they *really* want you to watch *something* they have. So if the algorithm (or AI) can't find what you are looking for, that won't stop it from suggesting whatever random stuff was paid for by producers.

They figured something out

[jacks smirking reven]

Everything about this story makes me want to clown on it, silly AI, "hello fellow kids" vertical screens, it's just hype cycle trending whatever but then I have to remember last week about stories about how Netflix is profitable and adding subscribers despite the fact I personally find less and less content on Netflix that seems appealing.

Disney+ with it's mountains of IP only just turned profitable recently and AppleTV with some of the most critically acclaimed shows on the air with fantastic production values is bleeding cash while Netflix putters along, raising prices but still delivering just... so much stuff all the time that the crap factor evens out.

So you do your thing Netflix, go get that median American viewer.

Next Step

[dohzer]

What's next: Portrait cinema screens? Will our kids' kids have two vertically aligned eyes, or just one eye?

This could actually be useful...

[devslash0]

"Filter out the titles with any woke content."

Boom! 99% of tiles disappear.

"Thanks. I can finally watch something I like now."

Re:

[OppMan29]

that would be an amazing feature , many would be glad to pay for!

Re:

[hcs_$reboot]

"Filter out the titles produced by Netflix"

Boom! 99% of the worse titles disappear.
(ftfy)

Re:

[toxonix]

Why do you hate Mel Brooks? You filtered out Blazing Saddles you moron. Guess you can watch that George W. Bush biopic again.

I hate vertical videos

[Powercntrl]

If it was possible to make it a crime to film videos in portrait mode, I totally would. Even on a phone, it just doesn't make any damn sense to record a video that's completely antithetical to the way human vision works. Turn the phone on its side, you fucking morons!

Ugh, /end rant

Re:

[jimbobxxx]

Ideally, you would be punished with a version of clippy saying: "you appear to be making a video WRONGLY. Hold the phone the other way around"

I love

[rsilvergun]

Vertical Video! [youtube.com]

Give it a shot...

[aicrules]

as with all artistic mediums it's fine to try different ways of doing things to see how they work. I'm fine if someone wants to make a feature length film vertically oriented...keep trying new things and see what you find. But remember quibi while doing this. They tried HARD to make that a thing. And it was NOT a thing. While there are many reasons it failed, vertical video is definitely one of them.

No

[GrumpySteen]

Fuck your algorithms
Fuck your AI

Give me back a list of everything on the service so that movies aren't being hidden from me. Sometimes I want to watch something that's not like anything I've watched before, damnit!

Re:

[tippen]

Sometimes I want to watch something that's not like anything I've watched before, damnit!

You realize that AI search would let you search for exactly that, right?

Dear Netflix,

[Rexdude]

..you are a streaming platform for full length movies and TV shows, not a fucking 15 second reel platform. We have enough of those so there's no fucking need to pivot that way.