Netflix is reportedly testing a shuffle button which would serve up a random title to viewers depending on the types of content they watch on the platform.
According to Variety, the company is testing “Shuffly Play” around the world on connected-TV devices. Netflix has said it is testing the feature in order to make it easier for customers to find something to watch.
A Netflix spokesperson told the Standard: "We’re always looking for better ways to connect members with shows and films that they will love. We run these tests in different countries and for different periods of time — and only make them broadly available if people find them useful."
It’ll certainly solve one of the major afflictions that affect people who regularly use streaming services, which is choice fatigue. There are around 36,000 hours of content available on the platform so it can feel overwhelming when trying to find a new film or TV show to watch.
The shuffle function will take into account the types of genres you’ve watched before or content you have saved in the “My List” section. At the moment, the button can be found on the “Who’s watching Netflix?” page, underneath a profile, on the TV menu sidebar, or in the “billboard” area on the home screen.
Netflix has been making some feature changes to the platform in recent months as a way to help customers find shows to watch, and therefore keep them on the platform, such as adding the “Top 10” feature which allows others to see the most-watched shows in their country, and help them to decide if they want to watch them too.
Other features have been modified to make the platform more seamless to use, such as the ability to disable the autoplay of previews, following feedback from viewers who did not enjoy the feature.
Aside from serving up new recommendations for Netflix fans, it also offers an opportunity to delve deeper into the platform’s archive.
With filming for many TV shows and films on pause as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the company could also be looking for a way to encourage customers to watch older content as it might be a while before their favourite shows return for a new season.
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