Advanced Netflix Tips - 1

On February 16, 2025 By newsroom Topic: Technology Buyers Guide

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you access viewing history, set up profiles, and optimize recommendations for a specific genre on Netflix.


1. Accessing Viewing History

Netflix provides a detailed record of everything you’ve watched, which you can use to clean up your account, analyze your viewing habits, or refine recommendations.

Steps to Access Your Viewing History:

  • Log In to Netflix:
  • Go to Netflix and log in using your credentials.

  • Navigate to Your Account Settings:

  • On the top-right corner, click your profile icon and select Account.

  • Find Viewing Activity:

  • Scroll to the Profile & Parental Controls section.
  • Click the dropdown arrow next to your profile name.
  • Select Viewing Activity.

  • Download Your Viewing History (Optional):

  • Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Download All to export your viewing history as a CSV file.

What Can You Do with Viewing History?

  • Hide Titles:
  • Click the circle with a slash icon next to any title to remove it from your viewing activity.
  • This prevents the title from influencing future recommendations.
  • Example: If you watched a show you didn’t like (e.g., a reality show your friend watched on your account), hide it.

  • Identify Binge Patterns:

  • Check which genres you watch most frequently.

2. Setting Up Profiles

Creating separate profiles ensures personalized recommendations for each user or genre preference.

Steps to Create and Manage Profiles:

  • Go to the Netflix Homepage:
  • Log in and click Manage Profiles.

  • Create a New Profile:

  • Click Add Profile and enter a name for the profile (e.g., “Action Movies” or “Kids’ Profile”).

  • Customize the Profile:

  • Select an avatar for easy identification.
  • Set content restrictions (e.g., Kids or PG-13 content).

  • Switch Between Profiles:

  • To switch profiles, click your avatar in the top-right corner and select the desired profile.

Specialized Profiles for Genres

  • Dedicated Genre Profiles:
  • Create profiles for specific genres (e.g., “Documentaries,” “Fantasy Shows”).
  • Watch only content from that genre on the profile to refine its recommendations.

  • Family vs. Personal Profiles:

  • Use one profile for shared family viewing and another for personal favorites.

3. Optimizing Recommendations for a Specific Genre

Netflix’s AI tailors recommendations based on what you watch, rate, and search for. You can optimize these recommendations for a specific genre like Action, Sci-Fi, or Documentaries.


Steps to Optimize Recommendations:

  • Rate Titles:
  • After finishing a movie or show, use the Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down feature.

    • Thumbs Up: Tells Netflix you want similar content.
    • Thumbs Down: Removes similar content from recommendations.
  • Search for Genre-Specific Content:

  • Use Netflix’s search bar to find and watch titles in your preferred genre.
    • Example: Search for “Sci-Fi Thrillers” or “Fantasy Movies.”
  • Watch more of these titles to strengthen the genre’s presence in your recommendations.

  • Add Genre-Specific Titles to My List:

  • Browse genre categories and add promising shows/movies to My List.
  • Netflix will use these saved titles to refine recommendations.

Using Hidden Genre Codes for Specific Recommendations

Netflix has hidden genre codes to filter content by niche subgenres.

Steps to Use Hidden Codes:

  • Go to your browser and type:
  • https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/XXXX
  • Replace XXXX with the genre code.

Examples of Genre Codes:

| Genre | Code |
|--------------------------|-----------|
| Action & Adventure | 1365 |
| Documentaries | 6839 |
| Sci-Fi & Fantasy | 1492 |
| Stand-Up Comedy | 11559 |
| Anime | 7424 |

Example: To find Sci-Fi content, use this link:
https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/1492


Clean Up Viewing Activity for Better Recommendations

  • Remove Titles That Don’t Match the Genre:
  • Go to Viewing Activity and hide irrelevant shows.
  • Example: If you want recommendations for Documentaries, remove unrelated titles like romantic comedies.

  • Watch Key Genre-Specific Titles:

  • Watch popular titles in the genre to expand recommendations.
  • Example: Watching Stranger Things can lead to more Sci-Fi thriller suggestions like Dark or The OA.

4. Tips for Refining Recommendations by Genre

Documentaries:

  • Watch Popular Titles:
  • The Social Dilemma, Our Planet, Making a Murderer.
  • Search for Specific Topics:
  • Example: Search "Space Documentaries" or "Wildlife Documentaries."

Action/Adventure:

  • Top Movies to Watch:
  • Extraction, The Old Guard, Red Notice.
  • Subgenre Codes:
  • Martial Arts Movies: 8985.
  • Action Thrillers: 43048.

Sci-Fi & Fantasy:

  • Popular Sci-Fi Shows:
  • Stranger Things, Black Mirror, Dark.
  • Subgenre Codes:
  • Alien Sci-Fi: 3327.
  • Fantasy: 1492.

5. Advanced Tools to Maximize Recommendations

A. Third-Party Netflix Tools

  • Flixable:
  • Filter Netflix’s library by genre, release date, or rating.

  • JustWatch:

  • Find trending titles and upcoming releases.

  • Reelgood:

  • Compare recommendations across streaming platforms and keep track of what you’ve watched.

B. Combine With Netflix’s Features

  • "Play Something" Button:
  • Netflix will randomly pick a title based on your preferences.

  • Preview Content:

  • Watch trailers directly on Netflix to explore titles before committing.

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