YouTube Testing ‘Play Something’ Floating Action Button to Simplify Video Discovery
YouTube, one of the leading video streaming platforms, is introducing a new feature to improve user convenience. While the platform is widely used for music, movies, series, and children’s content, finding the right video can sometimes be a challenge. To address this, YouTube is testing a new floating action button called “Play Something.”
What is ‘Play Something’?
According to a report by 9to5Google, the “Play Something” button appears with a black background and white text, located just above the bottom navigation bar. Tapping the button plays a video using the Shorts player. This feature is designed to recommend content tailored to the user’s preferences. For instance, users who enjoy romantic songs will see content aligned with their interests.
The button also allows users to access regular content in portrait mode, featuring a timeline scrubber at the bottom and interaction options like Like, Dislike, Comments, and Share on the right side of the screen. However, the “Play Something” button disappears when the mini-player is active.
Previous Experiments with ‘Play Something’
This is not the first time YouTube has tested the feature. In 2023, a Reddit user shared an image of a banner with the message “Can’t decide what to watch?” and a “Play Something” button.
When Will It Roll Out?
Currently, there is no official timeline for the global rollout of the “Play Something” button. However, YouTube has announced plans to release several new features and improvements in early 2024. These updates include:
- Setting thumbnails for playlists
- A sleep timer for videos
- A redesigned mini-player
- More user-friendly enhancements
YouTube’s “Play Something” feature promises to simplify video discovery and enhance the user experience, making it easier to find content effortlessly.
