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YouTube expands Ask YouTube AI search and tests Shorts integration

YouTube is launching a limited test of its conversational search tool inside Shorts after expanding the feature across mobile devices in the United States.

FTMQ Creators, written by our newsroom0 views

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YouTube announced on Oct. 12 that it will test its conversational search feature, Ask YouTube, directly inside the Shorts player on desktop, mobile, and television interfaces. Search Engine Journal reported that the upcoming test will be a limited, global experiment conducted in English for viewers aged 18 and older. [1]

The tool allows experiment participants to ask questions about the Short currently on their screen. Search Engine Journal and Digital Trends both report that the feature is planned for broader watch-page expansion, with Search Engine Journal noting that Ask YouTube will also reach live streams and Shorts. [1][2]

The test coincides with a wider roll-out of Ask YouTube across mobile devices, web platforms, and smart televisions in the United States, according to Digital Trends. Mobile access is the newest addition to the conversational search tool for United States users, following earlier web and television availability. [2]

YouTube was founded in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees, Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim. Google acquired the online video platform in November 2006 for 1.65 billion dollars, operating the service as a subsidiary. [3]

A Creator Insider video published alongside the announcement indicated that YouTube is also introducing new mobile feeds designed to help viewers locate similar creators and related Shorts, according to Search Engine Journal. [1]

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In short

  • YouTube announced a limited global experiment for Ask YouTube inside the Shorts player on Oct. 12.
  • The Shorts testing is restricted to English-language users who are 18 and older.
  • Ask YouTube expanded across mobile devices, web, and televisions for users in the United States.
  • Google purchased YouTube in November 2006 for 1.65 billion dollars.

Sources

Every paragraph above points to the numbered items it rests on. Read the originals here.

  1. [1]YouTube To Test Ask YouTube Inside The Shorts PlayerSearch Engine Journal, 4h ago (the report this story comes from)
  2. [2]Ask YouTube expands to mobile, web, and TVs across the USDigital Trends, 5h ago

Background

  1. [3]History of YouTube on Wikipedia
  2. [4]Cycling shorts on Wikipedia

Our newsroom writes these reports with the help of software, from the 4 sources listed and nothing else, and checks them against those sources. Facts can still be wrong or move on; the originals are the record. Spotted a mistake? Write to daniel@monsterkong.com.

Related from FTMQ Creators

Earlier reports of ours on the same people and subjects.

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