2 weeks Ago
YouTube, the platform that turned a grainy 19-second zoo clip into a global cultural phenomenon, is officially 20 years old. What began in 2005 as a simple video-sharing site now hosts over 20 billion uploads and billions of hours of content—from Shorts and music to livestreams and podcasts. To mark the milestone, YouTube is rolling out a slew of new features, engaging stats, and a few birthday-themed surprises for users across the globe.
A look at what’s new Among the highlights is Ask Music, a new feature allowing YouTube Premium and Music subscribers to create personalised radio stations simply by describing their current mood. Think of it as an AI-powered DJ, currently live for English-speaking users in select regions. Premium members on mobile can also now blaze through content with a newly added 4x playback speed, joining a wider range of custom speeds beyond the standard 2x.
For YouTube TV subscribers, a more interactive viewing experience is coming soon, the platform said. Users will be able to build their own multiview screens with select non-sports content—initially launching with a limited set of channels. YouTube’s also expanding its voice reply feature, allowing creators to respond to comments using audio—a tool that had previously been available only to a small test group.
Birthday easter eggs YouTube's birthday celebration wouldn’t be complete without playful nods to its legacy and user community. A limited-edition Yoodle (YouTube’s birthday logo) is now live, and typing "bday" on any desktop watch page will trigger a nostalgic surprise. Birthday-themed scrubbers and animations appear on select videos, while YouTube’s Playables section is serving up celebratory welcome screens for games like Angry Birds and 8 Ball Pool.
Even the gifting culture is getting a festive update: users can send virtual birthday hats and cake slices to their favourite creators during livestreams—available only for a limited time..
