Google just updated its Gemini AI with a new “Flash” model, improving speed while offering better responses. But the real highlight is the new ability to analyze YouTube videos—something that could change how people interact with online content.
YouTube Video Crawling: What It Does
The feature lets users paste a YouTube URL into Gemini and ask questions about the video. Whether you want a summary, key details, or answers to specific questions, the AI scans the content and delivers the information within seconds.
For example, if you’re watching a long tech review but only care about the camera quality of a new phone, you can ask Gemini to pull that specific detail. It can also extract recipes, instructional steps, or full transcripts. This could save people a lot of time scrolling through lengthy videos.
It’s Experimental, So Expect Some Limits
Google warns that the feature isn’t perfect. Since AI struggles with complex or unclear speech, accuracy depends on the video’s quality. If the content lacks subtitles or has unclear audio, Gemini might miss key details.
There’s also an issue with URL recognition. Some users might find that Gemini doesn’t accept direct links unless formatted in a certain way. Google suggests adjusting prompts or using more detailed video descriptions when asking for summaries.
Works with Google Services
This update isn’t just a standalone gimmick. Google has made sure Gemini integrates with Maps, Flights, and other services, which means AI assistance across multiple platforms continues to improve. Being able to ask questions about travel videos, for example, and then book flights directly through Google is just one example of how this might evolve.
How to Try It
To access this feature, users must sign into their Google account and select the “2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental with apps” model within Gemini. Once enabled, they can paste YouTube URLs and start testing the AI’s capabilities.
Our Take on It
This update is useful, especially for summarizing long-form content like tech reviews and educational videos. However, given AI’s limitations in processing unclear or layered speech, I wouldn’t rely on it for precise details just yet. I also think Google needs to refine how links are recognized since a clunky experience could push users away. Still, it’s a promising step toward making video content easier to digest without sitting through hours of footage.
