YouTube's new search shortcuts feature makes it easier to look up videos

YouTube is experimenting with a new feature, search shortcuts, that will allow users to quickly look up videos just by clicking a shortcut related to a specific topic. These search shortcuts will appear in comments, and when clicked, YouTube will send the user to a new page displaying all the videos related to the shortcut.

This is a new feature coming to the platform in less than a month. If you remember, Google announced a comprehensive list of new features coming to the platform, back in October. For example, the platform introduced animated buttons, a new You tab, a lock screen while watching YouTube videos feature, and many more.

A few days after that announcement, YouTube also released an experimental feature, allowing users to pause commenting on their videos.

These are experimental features, and as most such features, they’re only available to a small number of channels. YouTube also says that the new search shortcuts feature is only visible to Android devices, for now.

YouTube’s search shortcuts: How does it work?

Firstly, according to YouTube, the platform will be the one that will review comments. If those comments are suitable, then YouTube will apply shortcuts and words and phrases that users will most likely interact with.

However, channel owners will be able to remove those shortcuts at any time, if they wish so. Doing so will remove the search shortcuts from the channel entirely.

The feature could be of great use, especially if users want to find related videos on certain topics discussed in comments. It can also act as a tagging option for other YouTube videos without having to manually look up them.

The only drawback is that for now, this feature is only available to Android devices when it comes to mobile platforms, but if the feature makes it to YouTube, then it will most likely come to other mobile OSs, as well.

What are your thoughts on this new feature?