YouTube tests Ask YouTube inside Shorts videos

YouTube announced on October 12 that it will soon test a feature called Ask YouTube inside the Shorts player. The feature lets viewers pose questions about the short video they're watching. The test is limited, English-only, and available only to viewers 18 and older on desktop, TV, and mobile devices.

Key facts

• Ask YouTube will appear as a sparkle icon in the Shorts player, offering pre-written prompts or space for viewers to type their own questions.
• The feature is being tested globally in English only for users 18 and older, with no announced start date or list of countries.
• YouTube is also testing new discovery feeds on Android and iOS that help viewers find similar creators and related Shorts based on their watch history.
• Ask YouTube already exists on the watch page below selected videos, where it has been used by over 140 million people as of June.
• YouTube has not disclosed how it selects which Shorts get the Ask YouTube feature or whether creators have any control over it.

Does this change how you should run your business?

Not immediately. This is a test, not a rollout. YouTube has not said when it will start, which countries will see it, or whether it will ever become permanent. For now, treat it as something to watch but not plan around. The company often tests features with small groups before deciding whether to expand them, and many tests never make it to the general public. Your current approach to Shorts does not need to change based on this news.

What should you monitor as this develops?

If you use Shorts to reach customers, pay attention to whether Ask YouTube appears on your videos and what questions viewers ask. This could tell you what your audience actually wants to know about your product or service. If the feature expands, you may want to think about what questions you'd want answered about your business and whether your Shorts content makes that clear. The questions people ask can reveal gaps in your messaging or opportunities to address common concerns more directly in future videos.

Could this affect your Shorts strategy?

The feature might surface questions you hadn't thought about, which is useful feedback. But if Ask YouTube answers a question that you wanted viewers to ask you directly, you lose that contact. That could matter if you rely on comments or direct messages to start conversations with potential customers. For now, keep making Shorts the way you have been. This test doesn't require you to change anything. If the feature becomes permanent and appears on your videos, you can adjust then based on what you see.

What about the new discovery feeds?

YouTube is also testing new feeds on phones that show viewers similar creators and related Shorts based on what they've watched. This is a test with no firm timeline. If it rolls out, it could help your Shorts reach people who watch content like yours but haven't found your channel yet. The best move is to keep posting good Shorts and let YouTube's algorithm do its job. Consistency matters more than chasing experimental features that may never launch.

Sources

• YouTube To Test Ask YouTube Inside The Shorts Player via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern - Search Engine Journal, October 12, 2026

They did the reporting. The writing and the opinions here are ours.