YouTube is currently testing a new “Play Something” floating action button, inspired by a now-defunct Netflix feature of the same name. This feature functions similarly by playing a random video likely based on your previous viewing habits, as reported by 9to5Google.
When you press the button, it starts a video in the Shorts player. However, the content is not limited to Shorts; it also includes regular videos displayed in a vertical format with black bars at the top and bottom. As with any Shorts video, there are buttons on the right side for liking, disliking, commenting, and sharing. Notably, you can only play one video using the button, as the interface closes once a Shorts video begins.
This new feature appears to be an effort by YouTube to keep viewers engaged, particularly within the Shorts platform. YouTube has previously experimented with similar features, including a “Play Something” banner. Netflix had initially launched a similar feature, later renamed “Surprise Me,” but retired it two years later due to low usage. By introducing this feature, YouTube aims to enhance user engagement and provide a more dynamic viewing experience, especially for those who enjoy the Shorts format.
