YouTube announced a range of updates at its 2026 Made On event this week, including custom feeds, Shorts series, new artificial intelligence-powered editing tools, real-time language dubbing for livestreams and more.
First, YouTube announced the expanded launch of custom feeds, which enables YouTube users to generate alternate video feeds based on conversational prompts.
As shown in this image, YouTube users will now be able to populate alternate feeds by describing whatever it is that they're in the mood to watch. Users can then save these alternate feeds for future viewing.
YouTube has been experimenting with this process for some time, with initial testing of the option launched with selected users in May.
Custom Feeds will be made available for all U.S. YouTube users this fall.
YouTube also announced that viewers watching on TV sets will now be able to access image posts on channel pages, while it's also expanding access to image carousel posts in the Shorts feed.
YouTube is also looking to drive more shopping activity via Ask YouTube for shopping. This will enable users to refer to the platform’s AI chatbot for product-related queries without leaving the playback window.
On the creation side, YouTube announced Shorts series, which will enable creators to group their Shorts into seasons and episodes.
The option leans into the rising popularity of microdramas by facilitating episodic short-form storytelling.
YouTube is also integrating Google’s Gemini Omni AI tools into a new conversational editing assistant for Shorts and for the YouTube Create app.
As explained by YouTube: “Select the photos and videos you’d like to include in your Short, and kick off a first draft with a suggested prompt or your own prompt. Once your first draft is ready, you’ll get personalized suggestions in the chat — think trimming quiet pauses, arranging your clips for better pacing, adding on-screen text, and more.”
Whether more AI-generated content is a better outcome for YouTube or not is another question entirely, but YouTube is looking to provide more options for creators seeking to generate Shorts clips.
For livestreamers, YouTube announced a test of real-time auto-dubbing, which the platform plans to pilot in English and Spanish early next year.
The platform is also experimenting with Live showdowns, which are designed to drive viewer donations by pitting streamers head-to-head.
YouTube is also expanding its communal livestream experience, Watch With, to all eligible videos on YouTube.
YouTube also announced a range of updates for YouTube Studio, including AI-powered assistance with Ask Studio, expanded insights to better contextualize video performance and video A/B testing to try out different edits and variations.
YouTube also announced that creators will soon be able to upload up to three thumbnails per video, with YouTube’s system then showing the most relevant variation to different audiences.
YouTube also announced updates to comment review, which will use past examples of similar incoming comments in order to determine what is kept in the Held tab for review. The platform is also testing speaking voice detection as a new addition to its likeness detection process.
YouTube is also looking to provide more ways to help creators secure brand sponsorships. Creators will soon be able to prompt Ask Studio to help them draft custom proposals for partnerships, as well as respond to brand briefs.
YouTube is also expanding the YouTube Shopping affiliate program, which it hopes to have available in 35 markets by the end of the year. YouTube’s shopping affiliate program is currently available in the U.S., U.K, Thailand and India.
The company plans to launch its Amazon partnership in India and Brazil as well, with more markets coming this fall. In addition, it will automatically localize product tags for international viewers.
Finally, YouTube Affiliate Campaigns will allow brands to discover creators and send targeted invitations offering flat fees plus exclusive commission rates.
