New ‘Play Something’ button testing to add on YouTube: Check how it works

YouTube, one of the leading video streaming platforms globally, is reportedly experimenting with a new feature aimed at eliminating the hassle of endless scrolling to find something to watch. The feature, called “Play Something,” introduces a floating action button designed to offer users randomized video suggestions, ensuring a seamless and engaging viewing experience.

As per a report by 9to5Google, this “Play Something” button appears prominently just above YouTube’s bottom bar, sporting a sleek design with a black background and white text. A simple tap on the button launches a random video in the Shorts player. Interestingly, it’s not limited to Shorts content; the button can also initiate playback of standard videos in portrait mode. While watching regular videos through this feature, users will find interactive options such as like, dislike, comment, and share neatly aligned on the right side of the screen. Additionally, a timeline scrubber is visible at the bottom, allowing viewers to navigate through the video with ease.

However, it has been noted that the “Play Something” button disappears whenever the miniplayer is in use, indicating that the feature is optimized for full-screen or portrait-mode interactions. This isn’t YouTube’s first attempt at experimenting with such functionality. Back in 2023, a Reddit user spotted a banner with the text “Can’t decide what to watch?” accompanied by a similar “Play Something” button at the bottom of the screen, which hinted at Google’s ongoing interest in developing this feature.

Although there is no confirmation about when or if the “Play Something” button will roll out to all users, it seems YouTube is still testing the waters to gauge its effectiveness. Meanwhile, the platform continues to refine its offerings. Earlier this year in October, YouTube introduced several new features, including the ability to set thumbnails for playlists, activate sleep timers, and enjoy a redesigned mini-player interface.

These updates demonstrate YouTube’s commitment to enhancing user experience, and the “Play Something” button could be another step toward making content discovery simpler and more intuitive. For now, users will have to wait and see if this feature becomes a permanent addition to the platform’s interface.