I've had my YouTube watch history paused for the past 3 years. I only subscribe to channels I consider educational/useful. It cuts down on a lot of garbage recommendations, and makes the YouTube algorithm work harder to find actually interesting stuff to keep me watching, instead of taking the easy route and suggesting me memes.

I also spend a few minutes every once in a while going through my previously liked videos and unliking unhelpful/meme videos.

I don't know if search history contributes to the recommendation algorithm, but I have it paused as well.

There are downsides to this though. If there's something I've previously watched that I want to find, it's a lot harder. On a PC I have the browser search history, but there's nothing I can do for the mobile app.