Ever spent ages trying to find that one specific detail in a long YouTube video? Or maybe you just wanted a quick answer without clicking through dozens of clips. YouTube is now rolling out new AI tools to make finding information faster and simpler for viewers. These changes aim to reshape how we discover content on the platform.
One new feature is called AI Search. It works a lot like Google’s AI Overviews. When you type a question into the search bar, a summarized answer pops up at the very top. This summary includes both text and images. For example, if you search for “best beaches in Hawaii,” the AI will show you relevant videos. It also offers a short explanation to help you plan your trip right away.
This quick summary is a big win for viewers. You can get key information without needing to watch entire videos. But this speed might be a mixed bag for creators. Less time spent watching whole videos could mean fewer views and less watch time for their content. It’s a trade-off between user convenience and creator metrics.
YouTube is also testing another smart tool: Conversational AI. This feature can answer your questions right as you’re watching a video. It can summarize what you’ve seen so far. It also suggests other videos you might like. Best of all, it does this without interrupting your viewing experience.
Initially, the AI Search feature is available to YouTube Premium subscribers in the United States. However, YouTube plans to bring the Conversational AI tool to all users in the US, not just those with a Premium membership. This wider rollout suggests a bigger push for AI integration across the platform.