Netflix is rumoured to be removing one of its core features, aka the “Match” percentage. With every show, you will see a percentage of how well Netflix thinks you will “match” with it. This is part of the platform’s recommendations system. It uses algorithms to make suggestions based on your viewing history and ratings for other titles. This feature was first introduced back in 2021, a follow-up to the “Surprise Me” button.
The “Match” feature has always been hit or miss for Netflix viewers. Sometimes, you can find your next favourite film or series. Other times, it feels like the platform has used someone else’s Netflix account to make recommendations. It has caused great confusion amongst its audience as they try to decode and understand how the algorithms decide which content to suggest.
Netflix is constantly experimenting with its features, including the quiet removal of the “Surprise Me” button in February. The shuffle tool used Netflix’s algorithm to suggest content that a user would have a statistically high chance of enjoying.
The streaming service is focusing on its tagging function to accurately pair users up with shows. Certain adjectives are placed underneath the title of a series or movie to help viewers narrow down their watch lists. There are over 3000 tags, with “romantic,” “exciting,” and “suspenseful” as the most popular. This system differentiates Netflix from its streamer rivals, such as Disney+ and Apple TV.
What do you think about Netflix’s tags system? Do you miss the “Surprise Me” and “Match” features? Which Netflix shows are you currently watching? Follow us for more streaming news.