YouTube Announces New Features for 2026, Including Custom Feeds, GIF Comments and AI Tools

YouTube’s annual Made on YouTube event has ended, offering an early look at features coming to the platform in the coming months. The updates include new AI tools for viewers and creators, along with several non-AI improvements to customization, comments and messaging.

YouTube Will Let Users Create Custom Feeds

YouTube is preparing to give users more control over the design of their homepage feed. Custom feeds will let you add new tabs to the YouTube interface featuring content based on a description of your choice.

To create a custom feed, enter a description and YouTube will generate the page. You can then adjust the description, rate video suggestions and tailor the feed to your preferences. Google says users will be able to save multiple feeds without needing to specify an exact number.

The feature will roll out soon to YouTube users on the web, mobile devices and TVs in the United States.

GIFs Are Coming to YouTube Comments

YouTube is also changing how users interact later this year by adding the option to post GIFs in comments. The feature has reportedly been a popular request for some time.

The comment box will let users search for popular animated thumbnails and post them on both regular videos and YouTube Shorts.

YouTube Direct Messages Add Group Chats

YouTube’s Direct Messages feature is adding support for group chats. The update will initially be available in the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, Brazil and some European countries.

Ask YouTube Adds More AI-Powered Features

YouTube’s AI-powered Ask YouTube feature is also expanding. The tool will have a more prominent presence across the platform and will play a conversational role in product review videos.

Viewers will be able to use text or voice commands to get more information about a product. In search results, Ask YouTube may also provide structured video recommendations and product comparison tables.

Ask Music Moves to the Top of YouTube Music

Ask Music, YouTube’s music-focused AI feature, is also becoming more prominent in the YouTube Music app. It will appear at the top of the app, where search was previously located, after recently moving to a tab at the bottom.

Ask Music lets users create or edit playlists and learn more about artists. YouTube Music will also show suggestions throughout the app, including while users create a mix.