YouTube is testing an experimental search feature that allows you to find a song on the platform by humming.
To use it, switch from YouTube voice search to the new song search option, then hum the song for at least 3 seconds. You can also look for a song currently being played by recording it through the microphone on your device. YouTube will identify the song and provide relevant content such as official music videos, user-generated content, and Shorts featuring your song search.
Humming to search has been around for years on various platforms and devices. Google Assistant and the Google app already have this feature for voice commands, although this is the first time this option has been extended to YouTube search. Apple has its own version called Music Discovery that allows users to ask, “Hey, SoundHound, what’s that song?”
The search feature has yet to be available to everyone. YouTube is conducting a test run for only a small percentage of Android users.
Yesterday, YouTube also said it will begin testing bundling multiple uploads from a single creator with a shelf feature that will appear on your Subscriptions feed. YouTube said shelving content will make it easier for members to quickly find content they’re interested in. Creators can highlight several uploads at a time instead of uploading multiple times daily.
YouTube regularly enlists Premium members to try out new features. Eligible users can participate in trials with exclusive features still in development. Open YouTube on your mobile app and sign into your account to see if you qualify. Tap your profile picture and select Purchases and Memberships. All available trials are listed under the Offers from YouTube section. Select any offer you’re interested in and complete the prompts to enroll. Trials are available for a limited time, and participants get a gift card for completing a follow-up questionnaire.