YouTube unveils AI editing assistant, new insight tools for creators

Dynamic Thumbnails, video A/B testing, and other new YouTube features will help YouTubers in the content creation process.
 By 
Matt Binder
 on 
Made on YouTube
YouTube announced all new creator tools at this year's Made on YouTube event. Credit: YouTube

Along with the new features for YouTube viewers unveiled at the company's big Made on YouTube event on Wednesday, YouTube announced a whole suite of features for content creators, too.

For the most part, creators have used their YouTube channels to distribute content. Over the years, YouTube has rolled out features to help users create content, too. But with these latest announcements, YouTube is taking its biggest step yet into the content creation process.

One of the event's biggest announcements for creators is the conversational editing assistant coming to YouTube Shorts and YouTube Create in early 2027.


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The conversational editing assistant will help creators edit their footage into videos and short-form clips, using only natural-language conversation, as they would with a chatbot. The editor can pick the best takes, edit clips together with transitions, add text, and more. 

conversational editing
Credit: YouTube

Of course, AI plays a role here, but YouTube was adamant that its AI tools are meant to assist YouTubers in creating content themselves, not do it for them. 

In addition to the editing assistant, YouTube unveiled several new Insight tools for creators seeking guidance on what their viewers want to see.

There's a new feature coming to the Insights section of YouTube Studio's Analytics called Research, which will show creators the top videos in their niche that their own viewers have been watching.

YouTube Insight Research
YouTube Insight Research Credit: YouTube

In addition, YouTube Studio can now provide video feedback on new video content that hasn't been published yet. Previously, YouTubers could get insights into their videos to see what worked and what didn't. Now, creators can upload videos directly just to use this feature and make changes based on YouTube's recommendations before a video goes live.

Thumbnails are also getting a big upgrade on YouTube. Creators can generate customizable thumbnails on YouTube and, if they're unsure which thumbnail to use, use multiple thumbnails with the new Dynamic Thumbnails feature.

YouTube Dynamic Thumbnails
YouTube Dynamic Thumbnails Credit: YouTube

Dynamic Thumbnails will show viewers thumbnails that YouTube's algorithm believes will most resonate with that particular user.

A/B testing for thumbnails has been a feature in YouTube Studio for some time. Now, YouTube is rolling out A/B testing for an entire video. Creators can upload multiple Shorts or long-form video edits and then select the main cut based on what users like best based on viewer retention data.

Video A/B testing
Video A/B testing Credit: YouTube

Ask Studio, which YouTube announced is also coming to mobile, can now parse a creator's back catalog of videos and optimize previous content with new thumbnails and A/B test features.

Topics YouTube Creators

Matt Binder
Matt Binder
Senior Tech Reporter

Matt Binder joined Mashable's tech vertical in 2018, where he covers social media, tech policy, cybersecurity, online scams, cryptocurrency, AI, creator news, weird tech, and other related tech beats.

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