YouTube Adds Comment-Based Search Shortcuts For Long-Form Videos and Shorts

YouTube / Search from Comments 

YouTube has rolled out the ability to search directly from comments on long-form videos and Shorts.

Popular search terms from video comments will now appear as clickable, bolded shortcuts marked with a magnifying glass icon. Clicking on these shortcuts takes users to related content, with the original video continuing to play in a mini-player. For Shorts, tapping a shortcut filters search results to other Shorts, while making it easy to return to the original video.

Why It Matters: This update, similar to a current existing TikTok feature, increases content discovery by allowing viewers to explore related topics without manually searching. By highlighting search terms from comments, users can dive deeper into subjects of interest, potentially uncovering new videos they may have otherwise missed.

However, creators could face challenges, especially with long-form videos. These search shortcuts may distract viewers and reduce retention, as they can divert attention to other creators' content. Additionally, creators have no control over which comments become clickable, which could lead to unrelated or competing content being surfaced.

Earlier this year, YouTube also tested a feature that displays search results based on the most relevant segments of long-form videos.