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21 July 2026

Optimizing your streaming experience with data hygiene

Get the most out of your streaming services with these easy settings adjustments

Optimizing your streaming experience with data hygiene

Streaming services like NetflixMax and Prime use complex algorithms to recommend content based on user behavior. However, these algorithms can be influenced by various factors, including rating habits and profile hygiene. By making a few simple tweaks to your settings, you can unlock better discovery and improve your

Each streaming platform uses a unique algorithm to recommend content. Netflix for example, uses a combination of collaborative filtering and content-based filtering to suggest titles. Max and Prime also use similar techniques, but with some variations. By understanding how these algorithms work, you can make informed decisions about how to optimize your settings.

Rating Habits and Profile Hygiene

Your rating habits play a significant role in shaping your recommendations. By consistently rating content, you can help the algorithm understand your preferences and suggest more relevant titles. Additionally, maintaining good profile hygiene is crucial. This includes regularly updating your profile information, such as your favorite genres and actors.

Hidden Menus and Settings Tweaks

Each streaming platform has hidden menus and settings that can be tweaked to improve your recommendations. On Netflix for example, you can access the Netflix Codes menu by typing a specific URL into your browser. This menu allows you to browse content by genre, actor, and director. Similarly, Max and Prime have their own set of hidden menus and settings that can be adjusted to optimize your recommendations.

Separating Kids’ and Shared Viewing Signals

If you share your streaming account with family members or roommates, it can be challenging to separate your viewing signals. However, most streaming platforms offer features that allow you to create separate profiles and adjust your settings accordingly. On Netflix for example, you can create up to five individual profiles, each with its own set of recommendations. By separating your viewing signals, you can ensure that your recommendations are more accurate and relevant to your interests.

Data Hygiene and Better Discovery

By maintaining good data hygiene and making a few simple tweaks to your settings, you can unlock better discovery on your streaming platforms. This includes regularly updating your profile information, rating content consistently, and adjusting your settings to optimize your recommendations. By taking control of your streaming experience, you can discover new titles and genres that you may not have encountered otherwise.

Author

Florence Wright

Florence Wright, Glasgow native with an editorial-minimal aesthetic, rerouted a social feed to live-cover a Pollok Park remembrance event, prioritising human detail over algorithmic reach. Promotes clarity, humane framing and local resonance; keeps an archive of Polaroids from neighbourhood gatherings as a personal emblem.