YouTube is changing how it recommends videos to users in an attempt to reduce suggesting conspiracy videos and other borderline content, the company said Friday.

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Officials said the changes to its recommendation algorithm aim to impact the proliferation of “videos promoting a phony miracle cure for a serious illness, claiming the Earth is flat, or making blatantly false claims about historic events like 9/11,” about 1 percent of videos on the site.

The changes will only affect recommendations of what to watch, not the availability of a video, YouTube said.

"We think this change strikes a balance between maintaining a platform for free speech and living up to our responsibility to users," officials said in a release.

The change will roll out in the United States and as the system becomes more reliable will be introduced in other countries.

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Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez