YouTube Adds AI Shopping Features to Ask YouTube Search Tool

YouTube is expanding its AI-powered Ask YouTube feature with new shopping tools designed to help users research products, compare options, and make purchasing decisions directly through video search.

Ask YouTube originally launched as a conversational search tool that lets users ask detailed questions in natural language. The feature can combine Shorts and long-form videos to answer requests related to topics such as travel planning, learning new skills, and product discovery.

AI Helps Users Compare Products Through Videos

With the new shopping-focused updates, users searching for products may receive organised recommendations that compare different features, categories, and product attributes based on their preferences.

YouTube is also adding the ability for users to ask follow-up questions directly from a video’s watch page, allowing them to continue exploring information without leaving the viewing experience.

Ask YouTube Growth Drives Expansion

YouTube said the changes are based on how viewers already use creators’ content when researching products. The company noted that more than 140 million people used Ask YouTube to explore videos in June, representing significant growth since December.

The feature is powered by a custom Gemini model that connects user questions with relevant moments in videos, helping viewers find information faster. YouTube shared more details about the update during its Made On YouTube event.

Shopping Becomes a Bigger Part of YouTube

The update strengthens YouTube’s focus on video-based shopping, where users increasingly rely on creators and product-focused content before making purchases.

The company has not announced when all new Ask YouTube shopping features will become available to every user. Still, it says the tools are designed to make product discovery more interactive through AI-powered search.