YouTube is currently experimenting with a new feature aimed at making content discovery easier for users who are unsure about what to watch next. This new feature, a floating “Play something” button, has been spotted in the YouTube app for Android. The button sits just above the bottom navigation bar, making it easily accessible. When users tap the button, YouTube randomly selects a video for them to watch. The purpose is clear: eliminate the endless scrolling and decision fatigue that many users face when they simply can’t decide on something to watch.
This new feature is not YouTube’s first attempt at implementing something like this. Over the past year, the platform has tried out several variations of the "Play something" function, including a simple black-and-white button that resembled the YouTube logo and a banner version. However, this latest iteration appears to be a more prominent, floating button that stands out clearly on the screen. It reflects YouTube's ongoing efforts to help users explore content without putting too much thought into their selections.
One of the most interesting aspects of this new feature is the way it utilizes the YouTube Shorts player. YouTube Shorts is the platform’s answer to short-form, vertical videos, and it’s been widely popular for its quick, engaging content. When a user taps the “Play something” button, the video player opens in the format designed for Shorts, meaning the content will be displayed in portrait orientation. While this works well for Shorts, it does raise a potential issue when standard YouTube videos are played. These videos, often shot in landscape format, are not designed to be viewed vertically, and some users might find this format less than ideal for longer-form content.
Despite this concern, it’s worth noting that the feature is still in testing, and YouTube may adjust the functionality to allow for a more seamless experience. For instance, one solution could be offering a dynamic player that adjusts based on the type of video being played—Switching between portrait and landscape modes depending on whether the content is a YouTube Short or a traditional video. This would allow users to enjoy both types of videos in their intended formats, making the feature more versatile.
The "Play something" button is very similar to Netflix's "Surprise Me" feature, which was introduced in 2021 but was later discontinued. Netflix’s "Surprise Me" feature allowed users to be randomly shown content they hadn't planned to watch, helping them stumble upon something new and exciting. YouTube’s new feature serves a similar purpose, allowing users to quickly discover new videos without having to endlessly scroll through suggestions. This could be particularly helpful for users who are simply browsing and want to be surprised by something fresh, without committing to a long search.
For creators, this feature could provide a valuable opportunity for increased visibility. The button’s random nature means that videos from all corners of YouTube’s vast library could be shown, giving creators more chances to be discovered by users who might not have found their content through regular browsing. This could lead to a significant boost in views, especially for videos that are more niche or lesser-known.
While the concept is promising, it remains in the early stages of testing, and YouTube has not yet provided an official timeline for when or if the feature will be made widely available. As with any new feature, there are still a few hurdles to overcome before it can be fully integrated into the platform. For example, ensuring that videos are displayed in the most appropriate format for the content and that the experience is enjoyable for all types of users are key considerations that need to be addressed.
Ultimately, the "Play something" button could enhance the way users interact with YouTube, making content discovery more spontaneous and fun. It’s also a sign of YouTube’s commitment to evolving and keeping up with trends in the way people consume media. By offering a random selection of videos, the platform could potentially tap into a whole new way of browsing, reminiscent of the way people used to flip through TV channels. Whether or not this feature becomes a permanent part of the YouTube experience remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the platform is taking bold steps to make video consumption more engaging and effortless.
