YouTube Music Expands Access to Ask Music With Gemini

YouTube Music is making it easier for users to access its AI-powered Ask Music feature, along with introducing a new personalized podcast discovery tool later this year.

The updates were previewed as part of Made on YouTube 2026, where Google outlined several upcoming changes to YouTube Music.

Following the relocation of Search to the bottom navigation bar earlier this year, YouTube Music will add the Gemini sparkle icon to the top-right corner of its mobile app. Tapping the icon will provide a more consistent way to open Ask Music, replacing reliance on the Home feed card as the primary entry point.

Ask Music will open in a dedicated sheet with a chat interface. A prompt field will appear at the bottom of the screen, with voice input available for hands-free requests. Suggested prompts will include options such as creating a mix, discovering artists and finding podcasts.

The AI feature will also appear in other parts of YouTube Music when relevant. For example, users may encounter Ask Music while editing playlists or creating mixes. Google is also expanding the tool with more agentic capabilities later this year, allowing users to customize their music queue and explore additional information about artists.

These Ask Music updates are expected to roll out later this year to YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium subscribers worldwide.

YouTube Music Introduces Your Podcast Lineup

YouTube Music is also developing a new feature called Your Podcast Lineup, described as a personalized AI-powered audio guide.

The feature will provide a weekly spoken preview of recommended podcast shows, including explanations of why certain programs may interest individual listeners. It will also highlight recommended episodes.

Designed as a hands-free and eyes-optional experience, Your Podcast Lineup uses generative AI technology to create its audio recommendations. Testing is expected to begin later this year for subscribers worldwide.