YouTube has rolled out significant updates to its search filter functionality, designed to simplify the platform’s navigation and provide users with clearer options for finding videos. The announcement, made on January 8, 2026, introduces terminology changes and new filtering capabilities that YouTube believes will improve the overall search experience.
New Filter Options and Terminology Changes
The platform has introduced several key modifications to its search interface. Most notably, YouTube added a dedicated Shorts filter to the Type menu, making it easier for users to discover short-form content specifically. Additionally, the “Sort by” menu has been renamed to “Prioritize,” which YouTube claims provides greater clarity about what the filter actually does. Within this redesigned menu, the “View Count” option has been rebranded as “Popularity,” now incorporating broader signals like watch time to deliver more comprehensive ranking metrics.
Simplifying the Search Experience
YouTube has also simplified its overall filter menu structure and removed underperforming options that generated user complaints. The platform eliminated the “Upload Date – Last Hour” and “Sort by Rating” filters, though users can still access recent uploads through existing date-based filters and discover popular content via the new Popularity option. These changes reflect YouTube’s effort to streamline the interface and address long-standing user feedback about unnecessarily complex filtering options.
While some industry observers question whether renaming filters significantly improves clarity, YouTube positions these updates as meaningful improvements to user experience. For content creators and marketers, understanding these search modifications is crucial for visibility and reaching audiences effectively on the platform.