- YouTube is testing a new search bar within Shorts that links to related long-form content.
- This feature is currently available on Android, iOS, and web, but it only shows up on a limited number of Shorts.
- The user reception for the new search bar has been largely negative, with many users complaining that it obstructs the video and is an unnecessary addition.
Google is known for its transparency when testing experimental features on YouTube, often showcasing these through the dedicated YouTube Labs experience for Premium subscribers. This platform highlights features that may eventually become widely available to all YouTube users.
A recently discovered feature exclusive to YouTube Shorts has sparked interest. While its purpose is relatively clear, some details about its implementation remain uncertain. Google appears to be testing a search bar or search icon within YouTube Shorts to guide users toward long-form content related to the Shorts’ topics. This feature is reportedly available on Android, iOS, and the web. Initial testing shows the feature appears on both Premium and non-Premium accounts, though it is currently limited to a small percentage of Shorts.
The search icon, accompanied by a connected search query relevant to the Shorts content, is displayed above the Shorts creator’s channel name. It features a magnifying glass icon for easy identification, as illustrated in the screenshots below.
For example, a Short about a custom PS5 displays the search prompt “Custom PlayStation 5,” while a video about Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić (players for the Dallas Mavericks) highlights the search prompt “NBA Kyrie Irving.” Tapping the prompt redirects users to the YouTube search page with the query pre-filled, offering a seamless way to explore related topics.
What remains unclear is how this feature is triggered. It’s uncertain whether the prompts are generated automatically through AI or if Shorts creators can manually add them. Given that the feature only appears on a limited number of Shorts, the latter might be the case, but it’s not confirmed. Alternatively, there could be specific criteria for its activation. Users began noticing this feature around two months ago, and the reception has been mixed.
Many users have expressed frustration, complaining that the search bar obstructs a significant portion of the video. One user commented, “It was already annoying with all the text and hashtags blocking a big portion of the video. Who actually thought this was a good idea?” Another added, “I just started noticing this myself, and it’s already getting on my nerves. It seems my days of scrolling through Shorts are about to end.”
A potential improvement could involve shrinking the search prompt or relocating it to the overflow menu on the right. Whether YouTube will implement such changes before officially rolling out the feature remains to be seen