Google is expanding its use of AI-powered search, and its latest experiment targets YouTube. The company has started testing a feature called "Ask YouTube," which lets users pose complex questions and receive comprehensive answers that can include both video recommendations and textual summaries, according to Google. (The name would likely translate to Hungarian as “Kérdezd a YouTube-ot.”)
Who can try it and when?
The trial runs from late April through June 8. Access is currently limited to YouTube subscribers in the United States who are 18 years or older. Users who are selected must enable the feature in their account; once enabled, an AI-powered search bar appears where they can type questions or choose from offered prompts.
How the search works
Google says users can follow up on results with further questions to refine the output. In The Verge’s testing, the experience was mixed: for example, when the query "a brief history of the Apollo 11 moon landing" was entered, the tool produced a mission summary and attached related videos and timestamps. Other queries returned only lists of videos similar to a conventional YouTube search. The Verge also reported at least one instance in which the AI produced an inaccurate response.
Next steps
Google has not said whether it will run similar tests in other regions, nor when it might roll the feature out globally if feedback is positive. The company will likely use the trial period and user feedback to determine whether and how to expand the feature.
Why this matters
Ask YouTube is part of Google’s broader effort to integrate AI-driven search across its products. If the feature can reliably combine concise summaries with relevant videos, it could change how people search for information on YouTube. Conversely, instances of inaccuracy show that further refinement may be necessary before any wider release.
