Janice R. Andrews
YouTube is testing a new “Play Something” button, drawing inspiration from Netflix’s retired feature. This button selects random videos based on a user’s watch history, according to 9to5Google.
When pressed, the button plays a video in the Shorts player. However, the content isn’t limited to Shorts—it also includes standard videos displayed in a vertical format with black bars on the screen’s edges. Users can interact with these videos by liking, disliking, commenting, or sharing.
Unlike Netflix’s “Play Something,” which was discontinued due to limited use, YouTube’s version seeks to increase engagement on its Shorts platform. This feature follows earlier experiments, such as a “Play Something” banner aimed at encouraging diverse content exploration.
YouTube’s approach highlights its efforts to keep viewers entertained with spontaneous, personalized content. Time will tell if it fares better than Netflix’s attempt.
