A toggle that lets users easily switch between a simple search mode and engagement-based recommender mode.

The prominent toggle, which allows people to easily switch to a focus mode and back, aims to improve agency by allowing users to adapt the design of a video platform according to their preferences at the moment, either a distraction-free interface or a more exploratory environment with suggestions for what to watch next.

A field study with forty-six participants provides limited evidence that a toggle feature between a focus mode and an explore mode increases a sense of agency among users. 

Lukoff et al. (2023) conducted a field experiment in which 46 participants who wanted to change their use of YouTube interacted with a similar platform (SwitchTube). For one week at a time, participants were  randomly assigned to different modes: an Explore mode (with recommendations), a Focus mode (without recommendations), and a Switch mode, in which participants could toggle between the Focus and Explore mode. 

After sessions on the platform, participants were asked to report on their experience, specifically regarding their sense of agency, their satisfaction, and if their personal goals were supported. 

Respondents reported the highest sense of agency and satisfaction when in the Switch mode, and likewise felt their goals were most supported in that mode. (Note: all results are statistically significant unless otherwise noted.) The authors, however, did not report if there were any statistically significant differences in time spent on the app. 

In sum, the introduction of a toggle to Focus mode may not reduce the amount of time spent using the app, but participants in a small field study reported greater satisfaction with their use.

Agency is both an important factor of digital wellbeing and considered by social scientists to be a fundamental psychological need. A lack of agency is also commonly reported by users to be a source of dissatisfaction with smartphones. Therefore, a switch to a Focus mode can be a feature to increase user satisfaction and agency.