Google is testing text search within YouTube videos

Interesting moments in the video can soon be found by keywords. Google is testing a new feature called "Search in video".

Google is testing text search within YouTube videos
Image: Google

Interesting moments in the video can soon be found by keywords. Google is testing a new feature called "Search in video" that will use downloaded or automatically generated subtitles to help the user jump straight to the right moment in the video.

YouTube has been working on this feature for some time. As part of their work on a new search capacity, back in 2021, Google added the ability to title individual video segments. This innovation was immediately liked by many users, as it greatly simplified the navigation through the video.

Google describes the new feature this way: "Besides images, videos are also a rich source of visual information but it’s often hard to find something buried inside a long clip. For example, perhaps you’re watching a long video about Agra, and you’re curious if it also covers Fatehpur Sikri. With a new feature we’re piloting, you’re now able to search for anything that’s mentioned in a video, right from Search. Simply enter a search term using the ‘Search in video’ feature and quickly find what you’re looking for."

The company has announced that it is officially testing a new feature in India. So if you're from there (or just a lucky person who got this feature by mistake), you can already try out the new search box below the video.

Just expand the video from the SERPs and enter keyword. Google will show you the time and text where that shows up. Then you will be able to tap that and jump to the right part of the video.

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