- YouTube’s latest series of experiments limited Premium users
- YouTube allowed to try new features in a dedicated site dubbed TestTube
- Regular users can sign up to participate in other YouTube research studies
YouTube has allowed users to test new features before they go live to a wider audience. But recently, YouTube’s latest series of experiments are being limited to those who subscribe to the Premium tier. Currently, paid subscribers are the only ones able to test several new product features. This also allows iOS users to watch YouTube videos directly on the home screen.
YouTube says this feature allows users who are scrolling on their YouTube home page to watch videos with the sound on while they scroll through their feed.
Two other experiments are related to the search. One lets you filter topics you search for by additional languages, including Spanish, French, or Portuguese. The other lets you use voice search to pull up videos when using Chrome.
None of these tests will be very lengthy, however. Two of the three new experiments wrap up in October 2020. The other wraps on October 27. And they’ve only been live for a few weeks.
YouTube’s feature experiments
In the past, YouTube had allowed all users to try out new features in development from a dedicated site dubbed “TestTube.” However, it began to use the website YouTube.com/new to direct interested users to upcoming features before they rolled out publicly. Now, the site is being used to promote other limited-time tests.
YouTube says the option to test the features was highlighted to Premium subscribers a few weeks ago within the YouTube app. It’s also the first time that YouTube has run an experimentation program tied to the Premium service, we’re told.
The company didn’t make a formal public announcement, but the addition was just spotted by several blogs, including Android Central, for example.
Contrary to some reports, it does not appear that YouTube’s intention is to close off all its experiments to anyone except its paid subscribers. The company’s own help documentation, notes this limitation will only apply to some of its tests.
YouTube also clarified that the tests featured on the site represent only a small minority of features. And they are not at all-inclusive of the broader set of product experiments the company runs, according to the company.
Premium User’s Exclusive Features
Non-Premium users can opt to sign up to participate in other YouTube research studies. This option appears at the bottom of the YouTube.com/new page.
YouTube says the goal with the new experiments is two-fold. It allows product teams to receive feedback on different features and it allows Premium subscribers to act as early testers. Premium users who choose to participate can opt into and out of the new features individually.
This could serve to draw more YouTube users to the Premium subscription. This is because of criticism involved with trying out features and products.
YouTube sees over 2 billion monthly users. YouTube said earlier this year it has converted at least 20 million users to a paid subscription service(YouTube Premium / YouTube Music). As of Q3 2020, YouTube was the No. 3 largest app by consumer spend worldwide across iOS and Android, per App Annie data.
