How Netflix, YouTube & Spotify Know What You Want

About this episode

This episode explores how recommendation algorithms on platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify influence user behavior and content suggestions.

How do Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify seem to know exactly what you want next? It’s not random and it’s not your phone listening. Ever feel like your phone knows you better than your friends? You watch one video… and suddenly you’re two hours deep. You hear one song… and your playlist is perfect. You browse one product… and it follows you everywhere. That’s not random. It’s recommendation algorithms. In this episode of Mr. Fred’s Tech Talks , we break down how platforms like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon decide what to show you next—and why it works so well. You’ll learn: What recommendation algorithms actually are (in plain English) The difference between collaborative filtering and content-based filtering How your behavior shapes what you see every day Why it sometimes feels like your phone is listening—even when it’s not How to take back control and become a more intentional user This isn’t about fear or hype. It’s about understanding the technology you interact with every single day and using that knowledge to your advantage. 🎯 TECH CHALLENGE 💡 Try the “Algorithm Audit” For the next 24 hours, ask yourself: Why is this being shown to me? Do I actually want this? Did I…

People in this episode

Host: Fred Aebli

Topics covered

• recommendation algorithms
• technology understanding
• user behavior
• intentional usage
• streaming services

Keywords

• recommendation algorithms
• collaborative filtering
• content-based filtering
• user behavior
• intentional user

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, getmecoding.com

More episodes of Mr. Fred's Tech Talks

• From Atari to AI, Part 1: When Technology Came Home · June 5, 2026 · 18 min
• Memorial Day Is Different: Remembering Those Who Never Came Home · May 24, 2026 · 15 min
• The Email That Got Me: Canvas, Phishing, and Social Engineering · May 20, 2026 · 31 min
• Code, Curiosity, and the Courage to Keep Building: A Conversation with Dr. Hal Smith · May 14, 2026 · 1h 20m
• May the Fourth Be With the Builders · May 4, 2026 · 22 min
• Databases: The Design Thinking Behind Every Game, Hospital, and Restaurant · April 21, 2026 · 16 min