Does anyone actually like the "Recently Watched" feature on NetFlix streaming?

[Orrex]

My wife and I have discussed this at some length, and simply put we can find no good reason for NetFlix to offer it and no value to be gained from it. What are your thoughts?

I have read that NetFlix uses people's "Recently Watched" data for marketing and research. If so, that's fine, but why do they need to fill my screen with it? The browsing feature is already about the worst search function I've ever seen, so why limit it further by sacrificing some of the tv's screen-space to a useless category?

If its intent is to retain data so that parents can supervise what the kids are watching, then why not give the parents (or the account owner) the power to delete titles from the "Recently Watched" category? Or let the user opt out if desired, dammit!

For that matter, why not make the "Recently Watched" category only viewable online, so that you don't have to bother with it on the tv?

And have you noticed that they have a "Watch it Again" category, too? So now they offer two ways to see what you've watched recently! I know what I've watched, so why the hell do I need NetFlix to tell me?


Dammit!

[Angry Dragon]

1. They just like to play with your mind...............

[Orrex]

4. I admit that I suspected as much.

Damn them!

[teach1st]

2. I like it

I like it and use it. I like to watch stuff twice sometimes. Sometimes it comes in handy when I've switched off one device in the middle of a flick not in my queue and moved to another device. I can think of many ways to improve Netflix's usability, but in my opinion, compared to Amazon and Hulu, it's much better.

[Orrex]

3. Fair enough, but...

Why is it forced on users rather than offered as an option?

We watch NetFlix on three different devices, and we have never once needed to consult the "Recently Watched" queue.


I can think of no reason at all why NetFlix shouldn't give users the ability to opt in and opt out of categories and listing formats as the users see fit.

[romana]

5. Recently Watched

Can't you opt out of it by simply never clicking on that particular category? I admit I only watch Netflix via AppleTV. Recently Watched shows up in the list with everything else, including all the categories I'm not interested in and never click on. Is it different when you watch on a computer? Are you forced into that category automatically?

Personally, I use it quite often. It's a quick way to switch back to a TV series I was watching before shifting to something else for a brief time. I don't have to go searching for it in the TV category.

[NV Whino]

6. I've used it a couple of times

When I want to go back and post information here. Otherwise I think it's pretty useless.

[cbayer]

7. Totally agree. I find it useless and annoying.

[Still Blue in PDX]

8. I use it very often because I am catching up on TV series.

It's handy when I want to resume an episode or go to the next episode in another room. I use two different computers and sometimes the TV (if there's no one else home--my husband and son aren't crazy about my shows).

[jannyk]

9. I use it quite a lot for tv series. It's easier to click on

and just resumes playing from where you left off. Much quicker than loading my 'queue' and looking for it.

[Son of Gob]

10. I use it all the time

TV show's that I don't have in my queue or don't feel like sifting through the queue to find. I sometimes watch a movie late a night, get sleepy and turn it off, easy to find the next day.

What they need to get rid of is "Watch It Again". That's completely useless.

[Orrex]

11. To all who are fond of the "Recently Watched" queue...

Do you agree that it would be nice to be able to delete titles from it, or else to eliminate it altogether if the user chooses to do so?

That's probably the crux of my question, rather than the value non-value of the feature itself.


Let me switch it off, and you'll never hear another peep from me about it.

[Merlot]

14. I think the "kids titles" is a useless category.

But I imagine some find it helpful. If it keeps all the kids titles out of the rest of the pages, that's good.

Do I care that I have to look at the title of a category for a nano second before I switch to "recently watched?" No.

Maybe it's different how you watch, but on Apple YTV, it's just a list of categories which I am free to use or not.

[Orrex]

15. Well...

Regardless of your feelings about the "kids' titles" or my feelings about the "Anime" category, is there any reason at all why users shouldn't be permitted to delete titles from the Recently Viewed group? Why, when I watch five minutes of a crap movie, do I have to see it in the Recently Viewed for the next six or eight months? If I could manage the list, it would be much more useful.

I watch NetFlix primarily via our Wii, but we've also used our desktop PC, my Samsung Infuse, and a Roku box. None of these allows the user to manage or bypass the Recently Viewed listing.

Even given all of the positive aspects that have been cited here, it's still a bigger pain in the butt to me than it's worth.

[Merlot]

19. I know what you mean about seeing those "dog" movies on the page.

It would be nice to forget they existed.

[Son of Gob]

21. Sounds like your embarrassed about something you've watched

Maybe embarrassed is the wrong word but I hear ya, you want the privacy of not having everything you watch seen by all. They probably should have a delete feature. I'm pretty sure the Recently Watched is based on quantity not date. So if you load up a bunch of other movies the ones you don't want seen will disappear.

[Orrex]

22. You've stated it pretty well there.

It's not embarrassment; it's a matter of privacy. Also, if I watch Trainspotting or A Clockwork Orange or, heaven forbid, The Human Centipede, I would prefer that these choices not be foregrounded in such a way that makes it too easy for my kids to bring them up while they're scrolling around to find Curious George. At this point someone might helpfully suggest "maybe you should keep track of what your kids are watching," which is fine but still misses the point.

You're probably right about the quantity vs. date thing, but your workaround simply shows how ridiculous the NetFlix policy is. There is simply no argument in favor of limiting the user's control over his or her account in this way. I should be able to tell the system "Never show me another anime title again," instead of having to go in and mark 10,000 titles as "Not Interested."

[sagesnow]

12. I also do like the "Recently Watched" feature and

sometimes have trouble locating it when I want it. My nephew watches several shows before I get to another movie and I need it to find what I was watching.

[Merlot]

13. I LOVE the "recently watched" feature

If you're watching a series, it brings you back to the next episode. If you've only watched half a movie, you don't have to go looking for it in order to see the other half - and I do that a lot. If you're browsing through a category, say "new" and pick something to watch, but don't finish it, it won't go automatically into your queue, but it will go into the "recently watched" menu so that you don't loose it.

First place I go in Netflix navigation is the "recently watched" tab, it's a great convenience, much better than scrolling through my ever longer queue.

[Orrex]

16. It brings you back to the next episode whether or not it's in "Recently Watched."

If I'm watching a series, it's probably in my Instant Queue. Even if it isn't, I can probably find it pretty readily. I don't need a permanent, unalterable record of my viewing habits.

[Merlot]

20. Oh, is that what this is about?

"I don't need a permanent, unalterable record of my viewing habits."

[Orrex]

23. That's the symptom, yes.

But the actual, underlying problem is that NetFlix arbitrarily restricts its users from exerting basic control over their own accounts.

Functionality could be vastly improved at zero cost to the company, yet they choose not to offer any accommodation in this regard. I'm given to wonder why this is the case.

[Skittles]

17. it's so parents can see what their kids are watching

[Orrex]

18. And so kids can see what their parents are watching?

[xmas74]

24. I use it for tv series.

It's easy to click on it.

For movies, I don't care all that much.

And the "Watch It Again" never lists movies I've watched on netflix, at least in my experience. For me it's always been movies that I've rated and rated highly at that.

[Generic Brad]

25. Same here

My daughter has so many things in our instant queue that it would be hard to find the series I am watching without it. If my wife and I used the account exclusively I would have no need for it.

[xmas74]

26. I have tons of movies in my account

between myself and my daughter. The recently watched tab is perfect for me to find the show I'm in the middle of watching-especially with a Roku box.

[Twinguard]

27. I love the "Recently Watched" feature.

It's great for finding the tv shows I watch quickly. My kids use netflix for all of their kid shows and cartoons, and it's super easy for them to find what they want without needing my help.

The only down side (in my mind, at least) is when I watch some raunchy stand up comedy or a gory horror movie, it's right there for the kids to select. Thankfully they don't, but it would be nice to be able to remove some of those titles from the recently viewed list so it wouldn't even tempt them.