YouTube rolls out AI search, Shorts upgrades, creator tools and more in major update in July

YouTube has rolled out a wide range of new features and updates this month, introducing AI-powered tools, improved content discovery, enhanced creator features and expanded shopping capabilities.

In a post on X, CEO Neal Mohan said the platform shipped several updates during the month aimed at improving the experience for viewers, creators and subscribers.

Among the key additions is Ask YouTube conversational search on desktop for users in the United States, allowing people to find videos using natural language queries.


For creators, YouTube has introduced show, season and episode organisation, making it easier for viewers to binge-watch series. The platform has also expanded its thumbnail tools by enabling custom thumbnail uploads for Shorts and AI-powered thumbnail generation inside Ask Studio.


YouTube is also strengthening its partnership with ESPN. Subscribers can now link their ESPN accounts with YouTube TV credentials, marking the first step toward providing access to ESPN Unlimited content through the ESPN app. Mohan said more updates are expected later this fall.

The platform has expanded its monetisation features by rolling out Gifts and Jewels to 45 additional countries, including India, Japan and the United Kingdom.

Another update integrates YouTube Music with Google's AI-powered Search experience. Users can now curate playlists inside Google Search's AI Mode, with playlists automatically saved to YouTube Music.

YouTube has also enhanced its AI Playground by adding an AI creations section inside the Recent Generations tab, making it easier for users to access previously generated content.

Community features have also been expanded to desktop, bringing viewer quote posts, creator hearts and Community-only posts to larger screens.

For TV viewers, YouTube has introduced a dedicated Shorts tab, enabling users to jump directly into short-form videos from their televisions.

The company has also expanded its Shopping Affiliate Program to the United Kingdom, allowing eligible creators to tag products directly in their videos.

In addition, YouTube is rolling out supervised kid accounts in the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and Türkiye, including a custom Shorts feed timer designed to help families manage children's viewing time.