YouTube gains improved Google Assistant commands on Android TVs

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It's also surfacing Shorts videos in search results and showing a Podcasts topic page.

YouTube and Netflix apps on Android TV screen
(Image credit: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Google has summed up a bunch of improvements introduced to YouTube on Android TV.
  • YouTube now allows you to like or dislike a video and subscribe to channels using your voice when watching videos on your smart TV.
  • Shorts contents are showing up in search results, and a Podcasts topic page has been added to the app.

Google has rolled out a slew of improvements to the YouTube app on Android TV, including support for additional Google Assistant commands, the availability of Shorts content in search results, the addition of a Podcasts topic page, and more.

In a community post, YouTube says that you can now use Google Assistant to like or dislike a video you've stumbled upon just by saying, "Hey Google, like this video." Additionally, you'll be able to subscribe to or unsubscribe from a channel using the appropriate voice prompt.

This expands the list of available voice commands that you can already use to control YouTube content you watch on your Android TV. These commands allow you to play, pause, rewind, or go to the next media without lifting a finger.

YouTube Shorts have also started appearing in search results. It's not entirely surprising, seeing as the video-sharing platform brought this TikTok-like content format to smart TVs last year. The latest change is only the logical next step.

If you're a fan of podcasts, you'll be pleased to learn that YouTube is adding a new Podcasts topic page to your Android TV. The new page can be accessed under the "More" tab in the navigation menu. As you keep watching podcasts, the page will move to the top of the menu.

YouTube's recommended shelf has also picked up a nifty improvement that should refresh recommendations as you sift through the section. This means you'll never run out of recommended videos as long as you keep scrolling through the shelf.

Finally, it's now easier to switch between different YouTube accounts on your TV using a new account switcher, similar to the one introduced to Android TV earlier this year. The account switcher also allows you to directly switch to your child’s profile in the YouTube Kids app.

Jay Bonggolto
Jay Bonggolto
News Writer & Reviewer

Jay Bonggolto always keeps a nose for news. He has been writing about consumer tech and apps for as long as he can remember, and he has used a variety of Android phones since falling in love with Jelly Bean. Send him a direct message via Twitter or LinkedIn.

10 Comments Comment from the forums
  • deek
    AC News said:
    Google has detailed a slew of improvements it added to YouTube on Android TV, including additional Assistant commands.

    YouTube gains improved Google Assistant commands on Android TVs : Read more
    You tube needs banned its not regulated and is harming our children and causes behavior issues the things that people post aimed at kids is destructive for them social services and health care professionals are fully aware of the damage you tube has caused and the you tube kids app IV seen things on that app should not be there, it influenced children in a way it destroyes that persons life IV seen kids running around with real knife attacking fake Minecraft characters you tube channel fun squad and there's many more communications regulators need to shut it down before damage is done if not already it gives the incentive for kids to think its ok to run round with knifes.. All you tube cares about is money and not the wellbeing of young children
    Reply
  • fuzzylumpkin
    deek said:
    You tube needs banned its not regulated and is harming our children and causes behavior issues the things that people post aimed at kids is destructive for them social services and health care professionals are fully aware of the damage you tube has caused and the you tube kids app IV seen things on that app should not be there, it influenced children in a way it destroyes that persons life IV seen kids running around with real knife attacking fake Minecraft characters you tube channel fun squad and there's many more communications regulators need to shut it down before damage is done if not already it gives the incentive for kids to think its ok to run round with knifes.. All you tube cares about is money and not the wellbeing of young children
    If you don't like the way that YouTube is raising your kids for you, maybe you should raise them yourself.
    Reply
  • mustang7757
    deek said:
    You tube needs banned its not regulated and is harming our children and causes behavior issues the things that people post aimed at kids is destructive for them social services and health care professionals are fully aware of the damage you tube has caused and the you tube kids app IV seen things on that app should not be there, it influenced children in a way it destroyes that persons life IV seen kids running around with real knife attacking fake Minecraft characters you tube channel fun squad and there's many more communications regulators need to shut it down before damage is done if not already it gives the incentive for kids to think its ok to run round with knifes.. All you tube cares about is money and not the wellbeing of young children
    Welcome to AC!
    Reply
  • grover5
    fuzzylumpkin said:
    If you don't like the way that YouTube is raising your kids for you, maybe you should raise them yourself.

    That’s glib and lazy. Obviously he’s having some issues.
    Reply
  • fuzzylumpkin
    grover5 said:
    That’s glib and lazy. Obviously he’s having some issues.
    Lol
    Reply
  • deek
    fuzzylumpkin said:
    If you don't like the way that YouTube is raising your kids for you, maybe you should raise them yourself.
    Its not how I'm raising my kids my kids are raised correctly how ever I'm in chats with multiple families having this issue you tube does not raise kids but places incentives. the behavior of children of most families I'm in contact with and social services are having problems of children acting these out which is very concerning now if you are a parent you find this very disturbing, you tube has been banned in my house for over two year now its time for the government to step in and do what's right there is children channel that's aimed for kids that is very damaging I can name alot of these from what IV been told and seen my self. child protection is very aware of this and should be partition for the government to step in and stop this unregulated system.
    Reply
  • deek
    deek said:
    Its not how I'm raising my kids my kids are raised correctly how ever I'm in chats with multiple families having this issue you tube does not raise kids but places incentives. the behavior of children of most families I'm in contact with and social services are having problems of children acting these out which is very concerning now if you are a parent you find this very disturbing, you tube has been banned in my house for over two year now its time for the government to step in and do what's right there is children channel that's aimed for kids that is very damaging I can name alot of these from what IV been told and seen my self. child protection is very aware of this and should be partition for the government to step in and stop this unregulated system.
    Now even though these families have banned it the damage is already done for most of these children and is to late it has been very disruptive to the school learning the schools are aware of it also as there acting it out in school talking about huggy wuggy, dark sonic, siren head, night mare at freddies and many more.. Which is aimed at young children.
    Reply
  • deek
    fuzzylumpkin said:
    Lol
    Its not glib if social services, school boards and child health services and a ton of parents all agree that the damage caused is very disruptive were all on the same page. It is very damaging anyone can post anything where its aimed at kids or not for families that don't know this and let your children watch it then they have a big problem heading there way.
    Reply
  • swebb
    This goes well beyond YouTube. The internet is full of content that OP is objecting to, and youtube is far from the worst.
    Reply
  • Laura Knotek
    This is the same thing that people complained about in the past, except it was broadcast TV and rock music that supposedly corrupted children. Each older generation will blame something they don't understand that younger generations enjoy.
    Reply