YouTube Music Launches ‘Hum to Search’ AI Feature On Android And iOS

Finding songs on YouTube Music just got easier with the introduction of a new AI feature. This feature allows users to search for songs by humming the tune or singing a few lyrics. Known as ‘sound search’ or ‘hum to search,’ it can be accessed by tapping on the search bar and clicking a button with a waveform symbol. This action opens a screen where users can hum or play the beat of the song they're looking for, as reported by 9to5Google.

Initially launched in May for select Android users, YouTube Music's AI song recognition feature was briefly pulled back but has now been rolled out globally for both Android and iOS users as of Monday, July 15.

This feature is especially useful for users who can't recall the name or lyrics of a song but remember its tune or other vague details.

Additionally, YouTube Music is testing another generative AI feature called conversational radio. This feature allows users to create customized radio stations by describing the type of songs they want to hear, such as “catchy pop choruses” or “upbeat pop anthems.” Currently, this feature is available only to select YouTube Premium users in the US. It appears as a card on the home feed that says “Ask for music any way you like,” according to TechCrunch. Tapping the card displays a user interface where users can enter a prompt or choose a suggested one.

The impact of AI on music streaming is growing, with platforms like YouTube Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer integrating generative AI features. These features aim to enhance the user experience by creating personalized playlists based on specific prompts for songs, artists, or genres.