Much like Netflix is always adding new movies and TV shows, the world’s biggest streaming service is also constantly updating its UI and suite of features. Sometimes this comes in the form of a major redesign of its iOS app, and sometimes it means smaller updates, rolled out without fanfare.
One such example of the latter has been spotted this month by What’s on Netflix, the streaming-focused outlet reports that Netflix has quietly removed various sorting filters from its desktop website. This includes the ability to sort its sizable movie and TV show libraries in alphabetical order (or reverse alphabetical order), and to filter content by release year.
Previously, Netflix desktop users could swerve the platform’s tailored genre categories and curated recommendations, and instead take a bird’s eye view of the library, scrolling through thousands of shows and movies in alphabetical order. But no longer. The drop-down menu that offered these filters has quietly been removed, much to some users’ frustration.
Netflix has not commented publicly on this UI redesign, so we can only speculate why it has made this decision. Perhaps the reason is to bring the desktop UI in line with Netflix’s mobile app, which had already removed filters like A-Z and sorting by release year. Netflix likely wants a unified user experience across all platforms, and this could be a step towards that goal.
Fewer options are rarely a good thing
On a fundamental level, I don’t think browsing Netflix’s catalog via a simple A-Z filter makes for a particularly good experience. The streaming service is home to more content than any one subscriber could ever consume, and when looking for something to stream, such a broad filter is rarely helpful for finding content you actually want to watch right now.
However, I’m also of the mindset that more options are always better. I might not personally have used this filter, but if other Netflix subscribers find it helpful, there’s seemingly little benefit to removal. Each subscriber should be able to browse the platform in the way that is most convenient.
Because Netflix has not commented on the change, we can only speculate as to the logic behind this decision. It could be that Netflix wants desktop users to engage with its algorithm, making choices based on personalized recommendations rather than by browsing everything.
Perhaps Netflix has data suggesting that presenting users with all options at once harms retention. Decision paralysis is a thing, and having hundreds, even thousands, of movies/shows in one list can make picking something a headache. Too much choice can be as damaging as not enough.
What’s on Netflix also theorizes that removing the ability to view the Netflix library in alphabetical order allows the service to obscure its catalog and hide content gaps. Getting a full look at what movies and shows Netflix offers could highlight genres where the platform is lacking. So, removing this feature prevents subscribers from spotting library gaps.
There is also the possibility that the filters were removed simply because they were rarely used. To this end, removal cleans up the UI by scraping features that the majority of subscribers potentially view as redundant.
Whatever the specific reason, this doesn’t feel like a UI upgrade, but more of a downgrade. Subscribers now have fewer tools for finding what to watch next, and are forced to rely on often unreliable (and nebulous) algorithms when picking out their next Netflix watch. That sucks.
The good news is, the Tom’s Guide streaming team is on hand to guide you through the overwhelming world of new movies and TV shows with daily content designed to cut through the clutter and highlight the worthwhile new arrivals across all the best streaming services.
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