YouTube is testing a chat-style search that reduces scrolling

YouTube search always looks the same as it feels. You type in a few words, look at a list of thumbnails, and hope that the third or fourth video will actually help. Now, however, Google is quietly testing an AI-powered search mode that transforms YouTube from a basic video library into a tech-savvy gatekeeper, at least for premium users.

This feature is called Ask YouTube. Starting today through June 8, US-based YouTube Premium subscribers who are 18 years of age or older can opt in via youtube labs pageThe platform said in a help page. When you enable it, a new button appears in the search bar. Tap it, and instead of just searching, you’ll start a conversation.

If you ask something like “A brief history of the Apollo 11 moon landing”, YouTube will give you a brief summary with bullet points, such as the date of the lunar landing and Armstrong’s first step, rather than just the video title. You’ll also see timestamps on related videos and a collection of long videos and shorts.

However, The Verge He reported that a test gave false information about the “Steam Controller”. Anyway, it’s still an experiment, not a finished product. It’s best to treat every AI-generated fact with a healthy side of skepticism.

What sets Ask YouTube apart is that you can ask follow-up questions. For example, if you ask, “Plan a 3-day road trip between San Francisco and Santa Barbara,” you can see vlogs, route guides, and text tips all on the same page.

While many YouTube viewers dislike AI-generated content, this feature is not about creating fake videos. The aim is to help you find quality content faster, as long as the AI ​​gets the description right.

Google will collect data till June 8. If premium users try it and don’t leave because of bad answers, this feature may become more widely implemented. If not, it will probably end up along with other abandoned experimental search tabs.