Google Tests ‘Ask YouTube’ AI Mode for Conversational Video Discovery
Google is testing a new AI-powered search mode to make the YouTube video discovery experience more intuitive and engaging. Through this feature, named ‘Ask YouTube’, users will be able to find relevant videos not only by typing but also by asking questions in a conversational manner.
This information was reported in a report by Engadget on Tuesday (28 April).
How will ‘Ask YouTube’ work?
According to YouTube Labs, users will be able to ask complex queries using this feature. For example: “Plan a 3-day road trip from San Francisco to Santa Barbara.” In response, YouTube will not only provide a list of videos but also generate a concise summary in text form. It will include relevant videos supporting the information, along with timestamps indicating the exact segments where the information appears.
Users will also be able to ask follow-up or supplementary questions to get more detailed responses after the initial answer.
Who can use it?
Currently, the feature has been launched as an experimental offering. YouTube Premium subscribers aged 18 or older residing in the United States can access it. The test began today and will continue until 8 June.
How to enable it
Premium users will first need to activate this experimental feature from their account settings. Once enabled, a new ‘Ask YouTube’ button will appear in the search bar.
Initial limitations
A test by technology portal The Verge found that the feature performs well for topics such as the Apollo 11 moon mission or general historical information. However, in some cases, the AI has provided incorrect information—for instance, giving wrong answers related to a gaming controller. Additionally, at times it displays a standard list of videos instead of responding in a conversational chatbot style.
Although YouTube users generally dislike AI-generated content or “slop,” Google believes that if this search feature helps users quickly find accurate videos, it could gain popularity. For now, the feature is being tested on a limited scale, but if successful, it may be rolled out globally.
DBTech/BMT/OR
