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BotchQue

macrumors 65816
Original poster
I had to do a certain type of troubleshooting/repair on my auto sprinkler system this morning. Instead of clicking on my "EweTube" bookmark, I did a search in Safari for "YouTube", and clicked on the correct link, so that I wasn't "logged in"; I did this so that my feed wouldn't be completely flooded with sprinkler Mx videos for the next 6 weeks. Found the info I needed in about 8 minutes.
Well, EweTube knew it was me, and tonight my feed is completely flooded with sprinkler Mx videos; dangit! I assume YT plants a cookie or something.
Does anyone know of a technique, or an app, that allows me to search for specific info on EweTube on a one-time basis, and not wave a huge flag in the face of the Al Gore Rhythm? (I don't use a VPN nor want to just yet) Much appreciated (and the question could apply to other search engines, too).

To "pay it forward", I'll leave this: The Al Gore Rhythm has always decided that a very specific subject would be of interest to me, and its not. A few years ago it decided I needed a bunch of info on aquarium pumps (I don't have an aquarium) and I hit the ellipses (...) and clicked "Don't recommend channel". It seems the Al Gore Rhythm decides, "Oh, he doesn't like that channel; instead lets recommend these other 47 channels with aquarium pump info, maybe he'll like them!" Gah! Then it decided I wanted videos about a cheating quarterback some call "GOAT" but I can't stand; and again, hit "Don't recommend channel", I then get flooded with videos about that jerk. Last year I finally clicked on "Not interested", and that seems to work! So, if you're frustrated with YT's force-feeding you info you don't want, give that a try (and if it works for you, let us know).
 
I'd start by using a private window in whatever browser I was using.

It might be necessary to use a VPN, because I think it's more than plausible that our Omniscient Googley Overlords are capable of IP logging.

Lacking a VPN, visit a public library and use their wifi, again with a private window.
Or just use one of their computers, so yours isn't even in the game.

EDIT

Another possibility: iCloud Private Relay

I haven't looked into the exact details of what it hides or doesn't hide, so it's possible that some parts of what a VPN might hide could leak through.



You may also have to guard against browser fingerprinting.
 
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I just have my watch history turned off…

Screenshot 2026-05-25 at 19.41.20.jpg
 
It's been a few years, but I think that's what I've done. Youtube is great for instructional videos for fixing things, but I don't need to be flooded with suggestions for additional videos for something I've already fixed
Yeah, I have extensively searched through all of Google's search settings for its various 'products' and switched everything off. Additionally my browsers have history switched off as well, and for those browsers where you can't shut it off entirely, I have an addon that kills history period.

Most of my searches are for nothing very important. If it rises to the level of me wanting to remember a page, I'll bookmark it. On the extremely rare occasion where I want to recall the tabs I have open, I'll save the tabs.

Finally, I have a browser addon that basically makes things appear to websites as if I just dropped in direct. So, there's really no need to save any history.

Generally, I'm watching YT for ambient music videos, video game playthroughs, sci-fi convention coverage and interviews and that's about it. YT already has it's own 'Save' button.

Absolutely no reason to have any history/tracking in my case.
 
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