YouTube is testing an AI-powered search feature that shows guided answers

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TLDR

  • YouTube is testing “Ask YouTube,” an AI search feature returning step-by-step text and video results for queries like trip planning.

Key Facts

  • The feature responds to questions with step-by-step results mixing text, short videos, and longer videos.
  • Users can ask follow-up questions and receive contextual suggestions in the same format.
  • Currently opt-in only for U.S. Premium subscribers aged 18 or older.
  • Google says it is working to extend the feature to non-Premium users.

Why It Matters

  • YouTube moves beyond pure video results toward guided, conversational answers for planning-type queries.
  • Google is extending its AI Mode search approach from Search to YouTube, testing new surfaces for the same interaction model.

Ivan Mehta, TechCrunch · 2026-04-28 · Read the original