What are TED recommendations?

Frequently asked questions

What are TED recommendations?

TED selects personally recommended TED Talks just for you, based on your interests and motivations. You tell us what you like and we'll send you talks we think you will love!

TED recommends topics — (click for larger view)

What is a community recommendation?

It’s the way the TED community recommends their favorite TED Talks to one another. There are two ways the community can recommend a talk. One way is to select from the offered options – inspiration or motivation, a glimpse into the future, a sense of hope, etc. Another option is to write a personal note explaining why someone should watch the talk.

What are the benefits of signing up?

Personalized TED Talk recommendations 1-2 times per week
Access to inspiring TEDsters around the world, recommending their favorite talks
All of your written recommendations visible via your personal TED.com profile

TED Recommends on Talk page — (click for larger view)

How do I write a recommendation?

Go to the talk video page, and click on the “Recommend” button on the right hand side of the video player. Follow the instructions to submit your endorsement. On mobile, look for the “Recommend” button right underneath the video player.

Can I see other people’s recommendations?

Yes! You can see other people's recommendations in the activity feed. Click on their profile to see all the recommendations they have written. If a recommendation is featured it will be shared on the homepage and across TED.com.

How can I join?

Go to TED.com/recommends and enter your email. Be sure to choose your interests so we can send you talks we think you will love.

How can I get my recommendation featured?

Our editorial team reviews hundreds of recommendations each day. They look for quality recommendations – those that explain how the talk personally impacted you, and why others in the community should watch the talk. For inspiration and guidance, check out some helpful tips at the bottom of this page.

Where will my recommendations appear?

Your recommendations will appear on your personal TED.com profile. If your recommendation is featured by our editors, it may be sent out to all TED Recommends subscribers and featured on TED.com.

How do I write a great recommendation?

The best recommendations are personal and brief. Be specific -- and stay away from summarizing the talk! Remember, it's not a talk description – a written recommendation is a way to inspire someone else to watch the talk, based on your personal connection to it.

Try answering any of these questions:

How does this talk make you feel?
Why are you recommending this talk?
Why is this talk meaningful to you, and why might someone else find it meaningful?

Length:
100-400 characters, or two to four sentences

I’m interested! Where can I learn more?

Head to TED.com/recommends to learn more.

Join the TED community now

Recommendation examples

The year my son received his autism diagnosis, I listened to Andrew’s talk again and again — and I wept and laughed every time. He helped me celebrate my son and our journey as it is.

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Stefanie Zadravec recommends Andrew Solomon's talk, Love no matter what

I don’t know many landscape architects who are personally tackling the crisis of their own sinking cities. But Kotch experienced crocodiles taking over the streets of Bangkok during the monsoons, and had to do something! And no, she’s not wrestling with reptiles. This designer is building real solutions for flood management in her own city. Her thoughtful action plan leaves me truly inspired.

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Chee Pearlman recommends Kotch Voraakhom’s talk, How to transform sinking cities into landscapes that fight floods

What is a normal brain? I'm not sure such a thing exists, either among humans or animals. As Temple demonstrates in this lovely and engaging talk, neurodiversity can help solve real-world problems. This powerful talk may just teach you to look at the minds around you a little differently.