It’s basically the YouTube equivalent of Google’s ‘I’m feeling lucky’ button.
In its latest bid to enhance user experience, YouTube is testing a new floating “Play Something” button designed to take the guesswork out of choosing what to watch. First spotted by 9to5Google in the YouTube app for Android, this experimental feature aims to serve up a curated video with just one tap. The button floats elegantly above the app’s bottom navigation bar, making it easily accessible without disrupting the overall interface.
When tapped, the “Play Something” button uses YouTube’s algorithm to select and play a video for the user. However, what sets this iteration apart from previous experiments is its integration with the portrait-oriented YouTube Shorts player. Interestingly, this means the feature doesn’t differentiate between vertically formatted Shorts and standard YouTube videos, displaying all content in the same vertical interface. While this approach may streamline the experience for Shorts enthusiasts, it could feel limiting for users who prefer watching standard, horizontally formatted videos. Hopefully, YouTube refines this aspect before rolling the feature out more broadly.
A Familiar Experiment
This isn’t YouTube’s first attempt at implementing a randomized video-picking feature. Over the past year, the platform has tested several variations, including a “Play Something” banner and a static button resembling a black-and-white YouTube logo. The current floating button iteration suggests that YouTube is still experimenting to find the most effective way to present this feature.
If the concept of a random video selector rings a bell, it might be because Netflix launched a similar feature called “Play Something” in 2021. Designed to help users overwhelmed by Netflix’s vast library, the feature later rebranded as “Surprise Me” before being retired in 2023. YouTube’s version appears to be borrowing from the same playbook, but with the unique twist of integrating Shorts into the mix.
Why “Play Something” Matters
As content libraries grow exponentially, users often find themselves stuck in a paradox of choice, spending more time deciding what to watch than actually watching. YouTube’s “Play Something” button could be a game-changer in alleviating this issue by leveraging its recommendation engine to deliver instant, personalized entertainment.
This feature could be particularly beneficial for casual users who aren’t searching for anything specific or those looking for a more passive browsing experience. By taking advantage of YouTube’s advanced machine learning algorithms, the button has the potential to surface hidden gems that users might otherwise overlook.
Room for Improvement
While the concept is intriguing, the current implementation—favoring the YouTube Shorts player for all video formats—may not appeal to everyone. Shorts have gained immense popularity, but many users still prefer the traditional horizontal viewing experience, especially for longer-form content. To make the feature more versatile, YouTube could consider allowing users to toggle between different display modes or tailor the feature to their viewing preferences.
Additionally, questions remain about how the algorithm prioritizes content. Will it favor trending videos, niche interests, or a mix of both? Transparency in how videos are selected could go a long way in building user trust and ensuring the feature’s success.
The Bigger Picture
YouTube’s ongoing experiments with “Play Something” reflect its commitment to innovation and user satisfaction. As competition in the streaming space intensifies, features like this could help the platform maintain its edge by offering a unique way to engage users. Whether it becomes a permanent fixture or remains an experiment, “Play Something” underscores the importance of simplifying content discovery in today’s saturated media landscape.
For now, it remains to be seen how users will respond to the floating “Play Something” button and whether it will make the leap from testing to a full-fledged feature. But one thing is certain: YouTube’s efforts to keep its platform fresh and engaging are far from over.
