I do get a lot results that way on Netflix on failed searches… It doesn’t present only lexically similar results (“streetcar”) but thematically related films (classics, of the same era and related directors or cast)
My main issue with Netflix is that where I live their movie catalog (esp. classics), is very short, seemingly in favor of Netflix’s own produced “shovelware”.
Also, regarding a search for “the office”, how would Netflix know not to recommend the US version if you’re looking for the UK one and vice versa? That’s such a specific nitpick…
There are a million nitpicks in the city, this is just one of them.
Netflix and Amazon both have a strong interior belief this smart referral thing is good and who knows: A/B testing may even validate it. I just know that recommendations in books film and music creep me out, maybe it's an analogue of "uncanny valley" but being told "you may also like" kills the mood for me. Dammit, I want to like what I like, not what statistics thinks I may like.
"The office" thing, yes, that's the whole point: ask me Tuesday and I might say yes. Ask me Monday and Sunday, I might cancel my subscription. I talk about this with a lot of people and book and film recommendations are toxic to friendship. You love STNG? Oh you would love Babylon 5 no, just no.
And I don't think "I'm zany" or anything cute. I think this is a normal reaction and a common reaction. I bet Netflix has never asked "do we creep you out a bit snooping on what you watch and recommending things" that literally.
I thought you were talking about search results and not algorithmic recommendations.
I think most recommendations for video services is done through collaborative filtering and similar ML techniques, meaning you get recommended what other profiles similar to you have watched. It may be possible to infer a profile of "people who like the Office (UK) but will not like the Office (US)" but I imagine it may present challenges, especially if the intersection of people who like both is large.
> I thought you were talking about search results and not algorithmic recommendations.
I don't personally see a distinction in irritation or creepiness here. They can't know I don't want experimental art streetcar or a modern remake. So I have to be a bit forgiving.
Amazon do something more loathesome: they proffer "in the style of" before hits for the actual author.
My main issue with Netflix is that where I live their movie catalog (esp. classics), is very short, seemingly in favor of Netflix’s own produced “shovelware”.
Also, regarding a search for “the office”, how would Netflix know not to recommend the US version if you’re looking for the UK one and vice versa? That’s such a specific nitpick…