People frequently turn to YouTube when searching for recipes or mapping out travel itineraries, hoping to find videos that match their needs. Now, the platform is rolling out a fresh tool designed specifically for these users: an AI-powered interactive search feature that delivers step-by-step answers blending both text and video content. With this new "Ask YouTube" capability, users can pose questions such as "plan a 3-day road trip from San Francisco to Santa Barbara" and receive detailed, step-by-step results that combine text, short clips, and longer videos—rather than just a list of video results. The company explains that it will surface videos and relevant video segments along with titles and channel details, helping users discover new creators.

Additionally, users can ask follow-up questions like "Where can I get good coffee?" and receive suggestions in a similar format. This feature is currently available to Premium subscribers in the U.S. who are 18 years of age or older. (Interested users will need to opt into this experiment via this URL.) Google has noted that it is also working to extend this capability to non-Premium users in the future.

Google has been actively expanding its AI-powered search mode across various platforms beyond YouTube. The company introduced AI mode last year, enabling users to ask multi-part questions and follow-ups. This year, it added side-by-side web browsing and product price exploration features within AI mode. Last month, Google also launched Gemini's Canvas feature, which allows users to maintain projects within AI mode. With this new test on YouTube, Google could later explore surfacing different types of videos, including sponsored placements.