- YouTube has added a new Shorts filter to separate Shorts from long-form videos in search results.
- The “Sort By” menu is now called “Prioritize,” and “View count” has been renamed to “Popularity.”
- Some filters have been removed to simplify the search experience, including “Upload Date – Last Hour” and “Sort by Rating.”
YouTube is updating its search filters to help users find videos across formats more easily. The changes add new options, rename menus for clarity, and drop filters the platform says were underused. The update aims to make advanced tools clearer, more consistent, and easier to use based on feedback.
The update changes how users refine results after a search on both desktop and mobile. On desktop, the filters button sits at the top right of the results page, while on mobile, filters are found through the three‑dot icon in the top right corner.
What’s changing in YouTube search filters
New filters and renamed options
A key addition is a Shorts filter in the “Type” menu. This option lets users pick if search results show YouTube Shorts or long‑form videos, which offers clearer control over format.
YouTube is also renaming several existing menus to better reflect their purpose:
- “Sort By” becomes “Prioritize”: The new label is intended to more accurately describe how results are organized.
- “View count” becomes “Popularity”: This option now considers not only view count but also relevance signals such as watch time to determine how popular a video is for a specific search query.
These changes are meant to help users understand how results are ranked and why certain videos appear more prominently.
Simplified filter layout
In addition to new and renamed options, YouTube is reorganizing the overall filters menu. The company said some filters were removed because they did not work well and drew user complaints. The streamlined layout is meant to make search filters easier to use, especially for those who rely on advanced tools.
Filters being removed
As part of the update, YouTube is discontinuing the following filters:
- Upload Date – Last Hour
- Sort by Rating
YouTube said users can still find recent uploads using other Upload Date filters. Likewise, widely viewed or top‑performing videos can be shown through the new Popularity option, which combines multiple engagement signals.
Availability and rollout
The updated YouTube search filters are not yet visible on youtube.com or within the YouTube mobile apps. The company has indicated that the rollout is expected to begin soon, though no specific timeline has been announced.
