If you use uBlock Origin or similar, try to block all images on youtube.com
You become immune to flashy thumbnails and you actually have to read the video title and think twice if you really wanna watch it. If you want to get extra spicy block all of the recommendation on the front page to reduce it to just the logo and the search bar, forcing you to actually think and remember the videos you want to watch.
I have been using youtube like this for the past 3 years and I don't really notice the decline, though I have to admit that the search results are at an all time low - if I don't write the title of the video verbatim I often don't find the video even if it's there.
You become immune to flashy thumbnails and you actually have to read the video title and think twice if you really wanna watch it. If you want to get extra spicy block all of the recommendation on the front page to reduce it to just the logo and the search bar, forcing you to actually think and remember the videos you want to watch.
I have been using youtube like this for the past 3 years and I don't really notice the decline, though I have to admit that the search results are at an all time low - if I don't write the title of the video verbatim I often don't find the video even if it's there.