YouTube, the video giant, is testing a new feature which automatically detects products appearing in videos and displays them in a list of related products.

This feature will appear among the recommended videos for viewers scrolling below the video player. The goal of this new functionality is to help people explore more videos and product information.

This new automated list of products detected in videos uploaded to YouTube will be tested starting March 22 for people watching videos on YouTube in the United States.

How do automated product listings work?

The automated listing of products detected in YouTube videos will be run automatically with artificial intelligence (AI).

With this new feature, YouTube will help increase sales of specific products mentioned in the videos, which is very useful for creators and their shared brand. In the future, it can also be used to support other e-commerce features.

Moreover, the automated product listing is an extension of the YouTube commerce experiment that Google announced last month. 

Google also commented, “We also want to take advantage of the full set of monetization opportunities that come through commerce…. We’re testing a new integrated shopping experience that will allow viewers to use the credibility and knowledge of trusted creators to make smart purchases directly on YouTube

 

Where will products detected in the videos appear?

Products detected in YouTube videos will appear below the main player. There we will find a list of product features with content related to each highlighted item. 

This new feature can be used as an auxiliary recommendation tool, complementing the “recommended videos” section displayed on the right side of the main video player. 

Thanks to YouTube’s algorithms, it is now possible to automatically detect relevant video content that the user has been watching and displaying.

YouTube experiments and test features

YouTube is always testing new tools and features to help users find, watch, share and create content more easily. These test features (sometimes referred to as a “beta” or “experiment”) are usually available for a short period of time and are only available to a small group of people.

Timed comment testing

YouTube is testing a new feature that allows users to see timed comments at the exact moment they view the video. 

Tests to help people evaluate online information.

The online video platform is testing various methods to promote critical thinking when consuming information online. This small experimental feature can generate media literacy prompts in the form of 15-second ads, and can skip the ads that will be shown before the video.

A new way to enjoy YouTube on Twitter

Twitter is testing a new way to watch YouTube videos on Twitter. Users of the Twitter social network will be able to watch YouTube videos directly in the Twitter feed. 

 

Jannik Romeu es Consultor de Marketing en Somos Sinapsis. Hace poco tiempo que descubrió el mundo online, pero cada vez se siente más atraído por esta área tan extensa por explorar. Al pertenecer a la generación Z, se caracteriza por ser multitasking y por pasar la mayor parte de su día frente a la pantalla (algo muy normal entre los jóvenes). En definitiva, ha encontrado un lugar donde poder encajar y crecer profesionalmente.