YouTube testing new ‘Play something’ button to keep you watching
YouTube is experimenting with a new on-screen feature designed to make content discovery easier and more engaging. The ‘Play something’ button randomly plays recommended videos, offering a novel way to keep viewers entertained.
Refining content discovery
Whether you’re tuning in for your favourite podcast or checking out the latest from beloved creators, YouTube is central to modern entertainment. Now, it’s doubling down on user engagement with the ongoing testing of its ‘Play something’ button, which first appeared in 2023.
Recently spotted in the YouTube app for Android, this new feature takes the form of a floating action button (FAB) at the bottom-right corner of the screen. The button is hard to miss, featuring a play icon with a bold white text on a black background.
Earlier tests placed this feature as a banner at the top of the screen, with the current test seemingly choosing a different design.
What will the new feature do?
Have you ever endlessly scrolled through YouTube, unable to decide what to watch next? We all do it, and this feature aims to resolve that problem.
Tap the ‘Play something’ button, and the app begins playback of a random video in the portrait-oriented YouTube Shorts player. This applies to both vertical Shorts and standard landscape videos. A portrait orientation has been present throughout testing, with it being unclear if this format will remain in the final rollout, if launched.
While specific details about the feature are unknown, speculation suggests that it will play videos based on your watch history, subscribed channels, likes, and other preferences. By automatically selecting videos based on this, the button reduces decision fatigue and keeps its users actively consuming content instead of wasting time scrolling.
When will it be officially released?
Despite being in testing for over a year, it remains uncertain if or when the feature will be widely available. However, its potential to transform how users interact with YouTube is undeniable. By offering a low-effort way to jump into content, the ‘Play something’ button could reshape the platform’s viewing experience.