In my experience the 'suggested videos' next to the video you're watching is more than good enough to get recs.
I use newpipe and put all the videos I like in a playlist. So everytime I want new videos I just scroll through the list, click on a video and just try something from suggested videos.
>the 'suggested videos' next to the video you're watching is more than good enough to get recs.
Which is also an algorithmic feed which optimizes for the same metrics as the home page.
1) a 60 second video showing how to use wd-40 and a lighter to set the bead, or
2) a 7 minute showing how beads can be broken, things you might try, an ad, some bad ideas, a funny guy yelling, another ad, and then how to set a bead with flame
Increased time on the platform is a proxy for more ads shown. YouTube optimizes for maximizing ads, not minimizing time on the platform with short, clear, informative content.
The first result is 2:43 then 3:14 then a shorts drawer which are sub minute videos then 5:43 then 3:29.
It turns out that YouTube is not optimizing for showing 7 minute videos.
>YouTube optimizes for maximizing ads
While they do monitor for regressions of metrics like ad revenue improvements to the algorithm aim to improve the user experience as opposed to improving revenue.