YouTube has begun testing an artificial intelligence-powered search feature that delivers guided, step-by-step answers combining text, short videos and longer clips, marking a significant shift from the platform’s traditional video-only results. The feature, called Ask YouTube, is designed to cater to users who frequently turn to the platform for recipe instructions, travel itineraries and other how-to queries.
With the new tool, users can pose questions such as plan a three-day road trip from San Francisco to Santa Barbara and receive structured results that include a mix of text instructions, short-form videos and longer video content. The company said it will display videos and relevant video segments accompanied by channel names and titles to help users discover new creators.
Unlike standard search results, which present a linear list of videos, the AI feature aims to synthesise information from multiple sources into a coherent, actionable guide. Additionally, users can ask follow-up questions such as where to find good coffee along a suggested route and receive similarly styled recommendations.
The experimental feature is currently available to YouTube Premium subscribers in the United States who are aged 18 or older. Interested users must opt into the experiment via a designated web address. Google noted that it is working to make the feature available to non-paying users at a later stage, though no timeline has been provided.
The test represents the latest expansion of Google’s broader push into AI-mode search across its product ecosystem. The company introduced AI mode last year, allowing users to ask multi-part questions and follow-ups. In 2026, Google added side-by-side web browsing and product price exploration features to AI mode. Last month, the company introduced Gemini’s Canvas feature, which allows users to maintain projects within AI mode.
Observers have noted that YouTube’s integration of AI-powered search could significantly alter how users discover content on the platform, potentially reducing the number of video clicks if users receive sufficient answers in text form. However, YouTube appears to have designed the feature to drive discovery rather than replace it, by embedding video segments within the guided results.
Industry analysts suggest that the move could also open new advertising opportunities. With this feature test on YouTube, Google could later explore surfacing different kinds of videos alongside sponsored placements, similar to how Google’s core search product blends paid and organic results. According to data from Statista, YouTube recorded approximately 2.5 billion logged-in monthly users as of late 2025, with recipe and travel content ranking among the most-watched categories.
The platform has faced increasing competition from TikTok and Instagram Reels, both of which have invested heavily in search functionality that directs users to short-form video answers. Pinterest has also rolled out AI-powered collage and idea generation tools that compete with traditional how-to search.
The Ask YouTube experiment is expected to run for several months, with Google collecting user feedback to refine the feature before any broader rollout. The company has not disclosed whether the underlying AI model draws from YouTube’s video transcripts, user comments, or external web data.
Google also declined to comment on whether the feature would eventually support voice queries or integration with the YouTube mobile app’s existing voice search function. Premium subscribers in the US can access the experiment immediately, though the company noted that availability may be limited based on server capacity and user demand.