YouTube is experimenting with a new AI-powered search tool, and Premium subscribers can check it out if they want to switch up their search routine.
YouTube says the new way of searching “feels more like a conversation.” You can use the tool by typing a prompt into the search bar and selecting “Ask YouTube.” You’ll receive both video and text results, and you can follow up with another question if you choose to do so.
The new search experience doesn’t just provide a list of videos, according to YouTube. If you ask a question such as “plan a three-day road trip between San Francisco and Santa Barbara,” your results will include a step-by-step itinerary and a mix of long-form videos, YouTube Shorts and text.
Premium customers over 18 in the US who search in English can try out the feature on desktop, and YouTube says it’s working to expand the test to non-Premium users.
YouTube Premium got a price hike earlier this month, with an individual subscription now costing $16 per month. The subscription includes perks like ad-free videos and the option to keep playing videos on your phone while using other apps.
Google Gemini powers the tech giant’s AI tools, from the main chatbot to the AI Overviews that appear at the top of all your Google searches, the built-in AI features on Pixel phones, Google’s image generator Nano Banana, video generator Veo 3 and more. As Google continues adding AI features to its products, the rollout of more tools within YouTube is expected to continue.
