I brought this up yesterday but I'd like to explain why Netflix icons promoting shows both matter and don't matter.
https://twitter.com/slowburnsftw/status/1426805135305367553
To start, since 2016 the product team at Netflix has done user testing called A/B testing. This is when a group of users see what they're testing vs a control group who doesn't.
If a button is red, they may do an A/B test to see if blue performs better.
techblog.netflix.com/2016/05/select…
If a button is red, they may do an A/B test to see if blue performs better.
techblog.netflix.com/2016/05/select…
In 2016, this process was largely manual with their developers needing to set up these tests all the time.
They've since automated this so they make as many thumbnails as possible and A/B test them through rotation. The goal is to get you, the user, to click on the thumbnails.
They've since automated this so they make as many thumbnails as possible and A/B test them through rotation. The goal is to get you, the user, to click on the thumbnails.
If engagement (aka clicks) is high, the thumbnail stays in rotation and you'll most likely get served it or some version of it over and over again.
There may be thumbnails you never even see because you're not in the "Barchie Enthusiast" segment or "Bughead Enthusiast" segment.
There may be thumbnails you never even see because you're not in the "Barchie Enthusiast" segment or "Bughead Enthusiast" segment.
Why This Doesn't Matter: Netflix doesn't get their thumbnails from the shows themselves.
This blew up the Voltron fandom in 2018. Netflix created thumbnails promoting Klance & Adashi. Fans blamed the showrunners, who then admitted that they don't create the images. Netflix does.
This blew up the Voltron fandom in 2018. Netflix created thumbnails promoting Klance & Adashi. Fans blamed the showrunners, who then admitted that they don't create the images. Netflix does.
Why This Does Matter: Because Netflix makes these thumbnails in-house they aren't going to pay for imagery they don't think has a chance of engagement. Small ships don't get clicks.
If you see your favs promoted it means there's enough buzz for Netflix to want to profit off you.
If you see your favs promoted it means there's enough buzz for Netflix to want to profit off you.
That's it! If you've enjoyed this or any of my other threads and want to show a little extra appreciation, I do have a tip jar over on ko-fi. ko-fi.com/astrolatte
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