YouTube is testing a new “Play Something” feature on its Android app. The feature will appear as a floating button above the bottom bar of the app. When you tap the button, recommended videos will automatically play based on your previous viewing history.
Tapping the button will start playing the video in the YouTube Shorts player. However, this feature is not limited to Shorts, and regular YouTube videos will also be displayed in a vertical format. For standard videos, black margins are added to the top and bottom of the screen. On the right side of the playback screen are the Like, Dislike, Comment, and Share buttons, and the timeline controls are provided at the bottom.
YouTube has been experimenting with similar features to help viewers explore content more easily. Previously, the feature was tested in the form of a “Play Something” banner, and a simple button design was also tried. This feature test was observed in Android app version 19.50.
Netflix has offered a similar feature in the past. It started in 2021 under the name “Play Something,” was later renamed “Surprise Me,” and was discontinued in 2023 due to low usage.
This “Play Something” feature seems to be specifically intended to keep users on the Shorts platform for longer. YouTube continues to focus on analyzing users’ viewing patterns to enhance personalized recommendations. The official launch and schedule of the new feature have not yet been announced.
