Netflix Is Trialling A Feature That Removes Its ‘Are You Still Watching?’ Message

We've all been there when we're binging on Netflix, just casually minding our own business, and the streaming service plants a massive 'Are You Still Watching?' message on the screen.

Sometimes the remote control is sitting somewhere not within arm's reach and it can be a real pain in the backside to get up and confirm that you are indeed still watching your favourite show.

While Netflix is just trying to make sure we haven't dozed off while watching back-to-back episodes, it can make some users feel bad that they've been binging on loads of television. But, the streaming service is trialling a feature where you can turn the message off.

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A Netflix spokesperson has told The Verge that the function is still in testing mode and it's not yet known if it will be rolled out around the world.

People have been posting videos on social media showing Netflix asking a user whether they are still watching, which you can answer with three different options.

You've got 'Ask Again Later', 'Play Without Asking Again' and 'I'm Done'.

We'll have to wait and see whether enough people are keen for this to become a reality. Judging from comments on social media, they are certainly keen to have the option, with one person writing: "Love it! Now I won't have to move when I get comfortable."

Another added: "Testing? Just let people choose whether or not to enable it."

A third said: "I would be a fan of them fixing it to activate at the end of a show or the very start and not part way into the start of the next episode."

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But that's not the only new feature that Netflix is trialling. Some Netflix users have now been given a 'Shuffle Play' option to take all the hassle out of deciding what they want to watch. What a time to be alive.

The new feature has been rolled out to a select number of users and, when selected, will start streaming a random movie or TV show it thinks you'll like based on your viewing history. Speaking to Variety, Netflix said it was hoping that, if popular, Shuffle Play could become a permanent feature.

A spokesperson said: "The purpose of the test is to make it easier for members to find something to watch."

They went on to say that the streaming giant would be using the findings from the test to eventually roll out the feature, adding: "The hope is to absolutely productise something."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Netflix told TechCrunch the idea behind the feature was to 'help [its] members quickly and easily find content that's tailored to their tastes'.

Topics: Entertainment, Technology, Netflix

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie