In the world of social media, it’s no surprise that apps often borrow features from their competitors. Following the trend, YouTube Music has set its sights on emulating the viral success of TikTok. Building on the popularity of Shorts, YouTube’s own take on short-form videos, the platform is now testing a new feature that brings a TikTok-style recommendations tab to YouTube Music.
A Reddit user recently shared a screenshot of the new YouTube Music interface, revealing a “Samples” tab nestled between the Home and Explore tabs. This section introduces a vertically scrolling feed of music videos, displayed with an all-new icon featuring two overlapping play buttons instead of the familiar YouTube Shorts logo.
While it’s not entirely clear whether the Samples tab is a modified version of YouTube’s existing TikTok clone or a dedicated space within YouTube Music for vertical music videos, it seems to offer a similar bottomless scroll experience to Shorts. Notably, it includes additional buttons not found in Shorts, such as the option to add a video to a playlist. Furthermore, a dedicated Shorts button is positioned below, allowing users to seamlessly transition to the YouTube app’s short-form video feed.
At present, the new tab appears to be part of limited A/B testing specifically in Brazil. The Reddit post mentions version 6.02.53 of YouTube Music, indicating that the feature may not be available on all devices running the same app version.
There are compelling reasons behind the adoption of TikTok’s format by major music streaming platforms. Firstly, it offers users an excellent way to discover new music, and incorporating Shorts into YouTube Music would enhance users’ ability to explore fresh tracks they might otherwise miss. Secondly, it brings convenience, as users currently need to switch between separate apps to enjoy Shorts and listen to music. Integrating Shorts into YouTube Music would streamline access to both features in a single platform.
Given YouTube’s status as the largest video sharing platform on the internet, it’s hardly surprising that the TikTok-style format will eventually find its way to YouTube Music. Although not everyone may be a fan of Shorts, its staggering 1.5 billion monthly views as of last year demonstrate that YouTube’s take on the TikTok phenomenon is gaining traction.
With this move, YouTube Music aims to create a more engaging and immersive experience for its users, tapping into the addictive nature of short-form videos that have captivated millions worldwide. By embracing the vertical video format, YouTube Music hopes to capture the attention of younger audiences who are drawn to the fast-paced, visually appealing content offered by platforms like TikTok.
The inclusion of a dedicated Samples tab in YouTube Music signifies the platform’s commitment to expanding its offerings and keeping up with evolving user preferences. By providing a curated feed of music videos, YouTube Music can cater to users’ specific interests and offer personalized recommendations based on their viewing habits.
While the Samples tab is currently in the testing phase, it holds great potential for YouTube Music to further establish itself as a leading destination for music discovery. The integration of TikTok-style features allows the platform to tap into the immense popularity of short-form videos, providing a unique and engaging music experience for its users.
As it continues to experiment with new features and refine its offerings, users can look forward to an increasingly dynamic and interactive music streaming platform. Whether it’s through the inclusion of TikTok-inspired recommendations or other innovative features, YouTube Music is poised to evolve alongside the ever-changing landscape of social media and music consumption.
In conclusion, YouTube Music’s exploration of a TikTok-style recommendations tab showcases the platform’s dedication to staying relevant in the competitive world of music streaming. By incorporating elements of the popular short-form video format, YouTube Music aims to provide a seamless and enjoyable music discovery experience for its users. As the testing phase
