Google Tests Gemini-Powered ‘Ask’ Button on YouTube for TV: How It Works

Google has announced that it is currently experimenting with a new “conversational AI” feature for its YouTube for TV users, introducing additional functionality for users who access the microphone option. The experiment introduces a conversational “Ask” option that appears beneath videos and works with the microphone on supported remotes. For now, the company says the test is limited to a small group of users.

The move signals Google’s broader push to integrate Gemini across its ecosystem, including large-screen experiences.

Gemini-Powered Ask Feature Expands to Big Screens

The feature isn’t entirely new. It first rolled out to smartphone and desktop users in November last year, but TV viewers weren’t included at the time. Google is now extending the trial to bigger screens to see how it performs in a living room setting.

With YouTube being one of the most-watched streaming platforms globally, expanding AI interactivity to TVs represents a major step toward redefining how audiences consume video content at home.

How Gemini-Driven Ask Feature on YouTube Functions

According to YouTube, the goal is to make watching videos more interactive. Instead of pausing a video and searching elsewhere, viewers can ask questions about what they’re watching right on the same screen. Whether it’s clarifying a point, understanding a concept better, or finding related content, the tool is meant to respond without disrupting playback.

The system runs on Google’s Gemini AI models. It pulls information from YouTube as well as other online sources to generate answers that match the context of the video. The idea is to provide viewers with clearer explanations and explore related topics without needing to switch apps or devices.

Context-Aware AI Responses

Gemini analyzes:

• The video’s title and description

• On-screen content and spoken dialogue (where available)

• Related information from trusted online sources

This allows the AI to generate responses tailored specifically to the video being watched.

How to Use Gemini-Driven Ask Feature in YouTube

If the feature is available on your TV, you’ll see an “Ask” button below the video. Selecting it opens the AI panel. From there, you can pick one of the suggested questions or use the microphone button on your remote to ask something about the video.

Once you send your query, Gemini processes it in the background and displays a response on screen, allowing you to continue watching without interruption.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Open YouTube on your smart TV.

2. Select a video.

3. Look for the “Ask” button beneath the playback window.

4. Choose a suggested prompt or press the microphone button on your remote.

5. View Gemini’s response while your video continues playing.

Why This Matters for YouTube’s Future

YouTube is increasingly positioning itself as more than just a video platform — it’s evolving into an interactive content hub powered by AI.

The Gemini-driven Ask feature could:

• Reduce the need to switch to smartphones for quick searches

• Improve educational and explainer content experiences

• Boost user engagement time on TV

• Create a more immersive living-room AI experience

As Google continues embedding Gemini across Search, Android, Workspace, and YouTube, this TV experiment highlights how conversational AI is moving beyond text-based interfaces into mainstream entertainment environments.

Availability and Rollout Status

At present, the Gemini-powered Ask feature on YouTube for TV is being tested with a limited group of users. There is no official timeline yet for a wider rollout.

Users interested in accessing the feature should ensure:

• Their YouTube app is updated to the latest version

• Their TV remote supports voice input

• Their device is compatible with the newest YouTube TV app updates

If the trial proves successful, Google may expand availability globally in the coming months.