Hacking the YouTube music algorithm via Google Nest/Home

So I’ve got two of these small pucks, I think they were called Google Nest mini back when they got released. I paid nothing for them, both were gifts from Google in some promotions they did 💰

I mostly use the devices for timers, pausing the TV, fast-forwarding through credits, and, from time to time, playing some music.

The thing about music is that I don’t pay for a YouTube Music subscription, so I get a stupid Google ad telling me to pay after each song. It’s a little bit annoying but well, considering I get music for free that’s ok 👌

🤦‍♂️ You can’t choose an exact song or album

With this free subscription, you can ask for a specific song, and even if they have it, they won’t play it right away. They will play you a playlist “based on” what you asked ☹️

I love AC/DC so I would say:

• Hey Google, play AC/DC
• Ok, here’s a playlist based on AC/DC

Which of course would not play AC/DC but other similar groups, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, and such. Don’t get me wrong, I do like these other bands but that’s not what I wanted to hear.

💡 Here’s the hack

As soon as I realized I couldn’t pick a song, album, or artist I thought to reverse the process 🤔

• Hey Google, play some Guns N’ Roses
• Ok, here’s a playlist based on Guns N’ Roses

Only this time it played me 3 AC/DC songs straight 🤭

It’s not a one-time thing, I’ve been doing this for days and I usually get AC/DC first when asking this, for a couple of songs. Eventually, you get some Guns N’ Roses but the hack is effective.

So take that, Google 🌝

Ricard