[Feature Request]: Search Filters For Subscription Pages

by ADMIN 57 views

Feature Request: Enhancing User Experience with Search Filters for Subscription Pages

Introduction

As a user of FreeTube, a popular YouTube client, you may have encountered the frustration of navigating through a long list of subscription videos without a convenient search or filter option. This limitation forces users to rely on YouTube's search functionality, which is often algorithmically biased. In this feature request, we propose introducing a non-invasive search bar or input box at the top of the "Subscriptions" page, allowing users to filter subscription videos by title. This enhancement would significantly improve user experience by reducing dependency on external platforms and enabling efficient content discovery within FreeTube.

Problem Description

Currently, FreeTube allows filtering only within the "Favorites" and "History" sections but does not provide a similar feature in the "Subscriptions" page. This limitation makes it cumbersome for users to locate specific videos, especially when managing a large number of subscriptions. The lack of a search or filter option in the subscription feed forces users to rely on YouTube's search functionality, which may not always provide accurate or relevant results. This can lead to a poor user experience and may cause users to abandon FreeTube in favor of other YouTube clients.

Proposed Solution

To address this issue, we propose introducing a non-invasive search bar or input box at the top of the "Subscriptions" page. This feature would allow users to filter subscription videos by title, making it easier to locate specific content. Additionally, integrating support for the CTRL+F hotkey would enhance usability and streamline the search process. This approach ensures minimal disruption to the existing interface while providing an extremely efficient and powerful method for users to quickly find content.

Benefits of the Proposed Solution

The proposed solution would provide several benefits to users, including:

  • Improved user experience: By providing a convenient search and filter option, users would be able to navigate through their subscription list more efficiently, reducing the time and effort required to find specific content.
  • Reduced dependency on external platforms: By providing a robust search and filter option within FreeTube, users would be less reliant on YouTube's search functionality, which may not always provide accurate or relevant results.
  • Enhanced content discovery: The proposed solution would enable users to discover new content within their subscription list, making it easier to stay up-to-date with their favorite creators.

Alternatives Considered

In addition to the proposed solution, we considered several alternative approaches to address the issue of search and filter functionality in the "Subscriptions" page. These alternatives include:

  • Add individual search functionality for each content type: This would allow users to refine their searches based on specific categories, such as videos, shorts, live, or community content.
  • Implement advanced filtering options: This would enable users to filter their subscription list based on specific criteria, such as keyword-based exclusions or sorting by upload date, duration, or popularity.

While these alternatives may provide additional benefits, they may also introduce complexity and clutter to the existing interface. The proposed solution, on the other hand, provides a simple and intuitive way to search and filter subscription videos, making it easier for users to navigate through their subscription list.

Implementation Plan

To implement the proposed solution, we would follow the following steps:

  1. Design a non-invasive search bar or input box that would be placed at the top of the "Subscriptions" page.
  2. Integrate support for the CTRL+F hotkey to enhance usability and streamline the search process.
  3. Develop the search and filter functionality, allowing users to filter subscription videos by title.
  4. Test the proposed solution to ensure that it meets the requirements and provides a seamless user experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the proposed solution would provide a significant improvement to the user experience of FreeTube by introducing a non-invasive search bar or input box at the top of the "Subscriptions" page. This feature would allow users to filter subscription videos by title, making it easier to locate specific content. By reducing dependency on external platforms and enabling efficient content discovery within FreeTube, this enhancement would significantly improve user experience and make FreeTube a more competitive YouTube client.

Additional Information

What it could look like:

Image

Issue Labels

  • new optional setting
  • new feature

Related Issues

Documentation

Introduction

In our previous article, we proposed introducing a non-invasive search bar or input box at the top of the "Subscriptions" page in FreeTube, allowing users to filter subscription videos by title. In this Q&A article, we will address some of the most frequently asked questions about this feature request.

Q: Why do we need search filters for subscription pages?

A: Currently, FreeTube allows filtering only within the "Favorites" and "History" sections but does not provide a similar feature in the "Subscriptions" page. This limitation makes it cumbersome for users to locate specific videos, especially when managing a large number of subscriptions. The lack of a search or filter option in the subscription feed forces users to rely on YouTube's search functionality, which may not always provide accurate or relevant results.

Q: How would the search filters work?

A: The proposed search filters would allow users to filter subscription videos by title. This would enable users to quickly locate specific content within their subscription list. Additionally, integrating support for the CTRL+F hotkey would enhance usability and streamline the search process.

Q: Would the search filters be available for all types of content?

A: Yes, the search filters would be available for all types of content, including videos, shorts, live, and community content.

Q: Would the search filters be customizable?

A: Yes, the search filters would be customizable. Users would be able to adjust the search filters to suit their needs, including the ability to filter by specific keywords, categories, or other criteria.

Q: How would the search filters impact performance?

A: The search filters would be designed to minimize performance impact. The search functionality would be optimized to ensure that it does not slow down the application or consume excessive system resources.

Q: Would the search filters be available on all platforms?

A: Yes, the search filters would be available on all platforms, including desktop, mobile, and tablet devices.

Q: How would the search filters be updated?

A: The search filters would be updated through regular software updates. Users would receive notifications when new updates are available, and they would be able to install the updates to access the latest features and improvements.

Q: Would the search filters be compatible with existing plugins and extensions?

A: Yes, the search filters would be compatible with existing plugins and extensions. Users would be able to continue using their favorite plugins and extensions without any issues.

Q: How would the search filters be tested?

A: The search filters would be thoroughly tested to ensure that they meet the requirements and provide a seamless user experience. The testing process would involve a combination of manual and automated testing, including user acceptance testing (UAT) and performance testing.

Q: What are the next steps for implementing the search filters?

A: The next steps for implementing the search filters would involve designing the search filters, developing the search functionality, and testing the search filters. Once the search filters are complete, they would be released through a software update, and users would be able to access the new feature.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the search filters for subscription pages would provide a significant improvement to the user experience of FreeTube. By allowing users to filter subscription videos by title, the search filters would make it easier for users to locate specific content within their subscription list. We hope that this Q&A article has addressed some of the most frequently asked questions about this feature request and has provided a better understanding of the proposed solution.