Ivr seen what YouTube recommends for my partner and I definitely don't want that in my feed. I'm not sure that what YT is doing now is the best, but it's better than nothing. At least I get recommendations for topics in intery in, not just whatever the latest insta trend is

ive started to use freetube on desktop and newpipe on mobile. they are not great for discovery at all but at least I can watch the odd [insert-channel-i-dont-really-like-here] video every once in a blue moon without then being harassed for weeks/months/years after to watch more from the same channel

I've always opened youtube in a new private window to do that, especially for sports that I'm interested in but I don't want to get spoilers for later.

I think it works because I don't see those topics in my feeds.