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Is YouTube’s New AI Search the Fix, or a Terrible Mistake?
Have you ever tried to find a specific video on YouTube, only to get a list of things that have nothing to do with your search? You’re not alone. Many people feel that finding videos on YouTube has become a frustrating guessing game. It used to be simple: you typed what you wanted, and it appeared. Now, you might see a flood of short videos, old content, or things that are completely unrelated.
The good news is that YouTube knows its search isn’t working well for everyone. They are now testing a new tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to try and fix the problem. But this raises a big question: can a smart computer program really solve the issues that made YouTube search so difficult in the first place, or could it create new problems for both viewers and video creators?
The Problem with Finding Videos on YouTube
For years, people have noticed that YouTube’s search results have gotten worse. Instead of helpful videos, they often find a jumble of content that isn’t what they were looking for. The problem has gotten so bad that people are talking about it online and sharing their frustrations.
Some of the most common complaints include:
- Irrelevant results: You might search for a “beginner guitar lesson” and get videos about professional concerts or completely unrelated topics.
- Exact titles don’t work: Even when you type the exact title of a video you know exists, it might not show up in the results.
- Too many Shorts: YouTube’s short, vertical videos, called Shorts, now fill up search results. This can be unhelpful if you’re looking for a longer, more detailed video. In 2024, Shorts appeared in 41% of all search results, even though users found them relevant only 12% of the time.
- Seeing the same videos: The search tool sometimes shows the same few popular videos over and over, burying newer or more specific content.
These issues have pushed people to find their own ways to get around the flawed search. Some add special commands to their search, while others have started using different websites, like Bing or Google, just to find YouTube videos.
YouTube’s New AI-Powered Helper
YouTube is trying to fix this with a new feature called an AI-powered search results carousel. Think of it as a special box that appears at the top of your search results for certain topics. This box uses AI to pick out a few relevant videos and gives you a short, AI-written summary about them. For example, if you search for “best beaches in Hawaii,” the AI carousel might show you videos about snorkeling spots and volcanic beaches, helping you find ideas faster.
This new feature is currently being tested and is only available to some YouTube Premium subscribers in the United States. It also only works for specific types of searches, like those related to travel, shopping, or local places. YouTube has not yet said when, or if, this will be available for everyone and for all types of searches.
Will AI Actually Fix YouTube Search?
This new AI tool could be a helpful guide for certain searches. It might make planning a trip or shopping for a product easier by showing you the most relevant clips without a lot of scrolling. However, there are also some serious concerns about whether this is the right solution.
One major worry is that this AI feature is like putting a bandage on a much bigger problem. The core issue is that YouTube’s search algorithm has become incredibly complex, and its main goal seems to be keeping you on the platform longer rather than giving you the best answer. The AI carousel doesn’t change that underlying algorithm for most searches.
Another concern is the impact on the people who make the videos. Video creators earn money from views and ads. If the AI-generated summary gives viewers all the information they need, they might not click on the actual video. This means the creator could lose views and income. If a creator’s video isn’t chosen for the AI carousel, it could get lost in the messy search results, making it even harder to be discovered.
Ultimately, YouTube is trying to use AI to clean up a mess that its own system created. While the intention might be to help users, it also gives the platform more control over which videos get seen. Based on the frustrations many have with YouTube’s current system, it’s fair to wonder if this new layer of AI will truly lead to a better experience. For now, we will have to wait and see if this AI fix delivers on its promise or just becomes another frustrating part of searching for videos.