YouTube Updates Search Filters With New Shorts Option and Simpler Sorting

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 Updates Search Filters to Improve Content Discovery

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.

YouTube Updates Advanced Search Filters Across Web and Mobile Apps

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.

New Shorts Filter Added Under Type Category

Clear Separation Between Shorts and Long-Form Videos

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.

Sort By Renamed to Prioritise

View Count Replaced With Popularity

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.

Removed Filters That Caused Confusion

Upload Date – Last Hour and Rating Removed

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

Reorganised Filter Menu for Simpler Navigation

Updated Type and Duration Filters

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.

Gradual Rollout Across Platforms

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.

Why This Update Matters

Better Control and Faster Search Results

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.