YouTube Adds AI Shopping Tools to Ask YouTube Feature
YouTube is turning its AI search tool into a shopping assistant with product comparisons and follow-up questions.
Key points
- YouTube is adding shopping features to its Ask YouTube AI tool.
- The new system provides product comparison tables and follow-up questions.
- Over 140 million users accessed the feature in June alone.
YouTube announced on Wednesday that it is expanding its AI-powered "Ask YouTube" feature. The update turns the tool into a shopping companion for users. This launch happened at the Made On YouTube event.
The feature originally allowed users to ask complex questions in natural language. It now includes tools to help people decide what to buy. Users can get organized recommendations and product comparisons.
New tools aid purchase decisions
When you search for a specific item, the system offers structured results. These may include a table comparing different product attributes. It uses your preferences to filter the options.
You can also ask follow-up questions directly on the video page. This allows for a deeper conversation about the item. It helps clarify details before you make a final choice.
User growth drives the expansion
YouTube says this move follows existing user trends. Many people already use creators to learn about products. They trust video recommendations over traditional text reviews.
More than 140 million people used Ask YouTube in June. This represents a jump of over 500 percent since last December. The company sees this as a sign of strong demand.
AI model maps video answers
A custom Gemini model powers this specific capability. It matches complex user questions to the exact second in a video. This creates a direct link between the query and the answer.
Emily Moxley, a VP at YouTube, explained the mechanism. She noted it turns passive search into active connection. This approach aims to make finding information faster and more precise.
