‘Ask YouTube’ introduces a conversational search feature, delivering AI Mode-like pages. Available for US YouTube Premium members aged 18 and above, this feature enhances search results using longform videos, Shorts, and text. Activating the feature reveals an “Ask YouTube” button with prompts like “funny baby elephant playing clips.” Selecting the button without a search query opens a page with suggested searches and a query box.
With “Ask YouTube,” a brief loading page appears before displaying results, such as a prompt on the Apollo 11 moon landing, summarizing milestones, and linking videos like “The Life Guide.” Sections include “From Launch to Splashdown” and Shorts about “Moments on the Surface.” Text seems sourced from video results.
Additional queries like “Apollo 11 astronauts” provide detailed results, featuring astronauts’ backgrounds. However, searching “Apollo 11 conspiracy theories” showed usual search results. Testing with “What is the Steam Controller” yielded an overview, a Valve video, longform reviews, and relevant Shorts.
Most answers were accurate, but there was a factual error regarding the discontinued Steam Controller’s joysticks. Users are reminded to verify the information. YouTube plans to broaden this feature beyond Premium. Similar to AI Mode’s integration in Gmail, “Ask YouTube” has potential for growth.