Netflix adds new private recommendations
David Farnor | On 03, Sep 2014
Netflix has added a new private recommendations system, which allows you to suggest titles to friends.
Netflix has always kept itself closely linked to Facebook, with the option of posting what you stream to the social network, but the new feature means that you can share titles without having to over-share: you can recommend something you like to a Facebook friend directly within Netflix, without everyone knowing you’ve just watched The Proposal for the 15th time.
After a title has finished playing, a window pops up allowing you to pick a familiar face from a list of Facebook friends – a feature that has been on the website in a similar form for some time, but Netflix has improved it.
After selecting friends, you are now allowed to add an optional message to your recommendation. Your friends will then see the notification the next time they log into Netflix and can thank you for the recommendation – and if they watch it or add it to their list, Netflix will let you know. For those who have not hooked up Netflix to Facebook, they will receive the recommendation as a private Facebook message.
Netflix is now rolling out the new recommendations system to apps on the iPad, iPhone, PS3 and Xbox, as well as many set-top boxes and smart TVs. More platforms will be added in coming months.