YouTube has introduced a significant update to its advanced search filters, aiming to make content discovery faster and more intuitive. Based on user feedback, the platform has added a dedicated Shorts filter, simplified sorting options, and removed features that often caused confusion. The update is being rolled out gradually across web and mobile apps.
YouTube has announced changes to its search filters to enhance how users find content across the platform. The update focuses on clearer sorting, easier filter navigation, and better separation of video formats. According to YouTube, the revised layout is designed to deliver a smoother and more efficient search experience.
These changes reflect how viewing habits have evolved, with users now frequently switching between Shorts and long-form videos depending on their needs.
The Google-owned video platform has confirmed that the updated filters will be available on both the YouTube website and its mobile applications. The rollout is gradual, meaning some users may see the changes earlier than others.
One of the most notable changes is the addition of a Shorts filter under the Type category. This allows users to specifically choose whether they want to see Shorts or traditional long-form videos in search results.
Previously, YouTube search results often displayed a mix of both formats, making it harder for users looking specifically for longer videos or in-depth content.
YouTube has renamed the Sort By menu to Prioritise, stating that the new name better reflects how results are ranked. Within this section:
View count has been renamed to Popularity
Popularity now ranks videos using:
View count
Watch time
Relevance to the search query
This change is designed to surface content that is not only widely watched but also more useful to the user’s intent.
YouTube has removed some filters after receiving consistent user complaints. These include:
Upload Date – Last Hour
Sort by Rating
According to the company, these options did not perform as expected and often led to misleading results. However, users can still filter by other upload timeframes such as:
Today
This week
This month
This year
The filter menu has been redesigned to be more intuitive. Under the Type category, users now see:
Videos
Shorts
Channels
Playlists
Movies
The Duration filter has also been refined with clearer options:
Under 3 minutes
3 to 20 minutes
Over 20 minutes
Other commonly used filters such as Live, HD, and 4K remain unchanged.
YouTube has confirmed that the updated search filters are being rolled out gradually. This phased approach allows the company to monitor feedback and performance before making the changes universal.
With Shorts now accounting for a large share of YouTube viewing—especially on mobile—the ability to separate short-form and long-form content is a major improvement. The simplified sorting system and removal of underperforming filters further reduce friction during searches.
YouTube says the overall goal of the update is to deliver a more efficient, intuitive, and user-friendly search experience, helping viewers find exactly what they are looking for with fewer steps.