YouTube is currently testing a new “Play Something” button within its Android app, offering users a convenient way to discover new content. This floating button, located above the bottom bar of the app, allows users to instantly play a randomly selected video.
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Similar to previous iterations of this feature, the current test utilizes the portrait-oriented YouTube Shorts player to display videos, regardless of their original format. This approach, while convenient for Shorts content, may limit the viewing experience for standard YouTube videos.
This marks the latest iteration of YouTube’s efforts to introduce a random video selection feature. Previous versions included a “Play Something” banner and a simple button featuring the iconic black-and-white YouTube logo. Notably, Netflix retired a similar feature, “Surprise Me,” in 2023 after its initial launch in 2021.
The “Play Something” button aims to enhance the user experience by providing a more serendipitous way to discover new content on the platform. However, the current implementation, which primarily utilizes the Shorts player, may require further refinement to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for all types of videos.
