Ever since TikTok blew up and became one of the most popular social media sites, others have created vertical video feeds native to their platforms. In the past few years, we've seen Instagram, Facebook, and even Telegram launch their own. Now, YouTube Music is getting one too called "Samples."
What are YouTube Music's Samples?
You'll be able to find the Samples feed in YouTube Music by heading to the bottom of the app and finding the new tab. It will be positioned beside the home feed, your library, and the explore section. All you have to do is tap on the tab and the videos will automatically pop up.
The short clips will feature content that is based on your music taste and profile from the music you've listened to before on the app. There are various playlists you can swipe through depending on what kind of music you feel like discovering.
YouTube Music offers a playlist called Supermix, which is a combination of all the artists and genres you have listened to throughout your time with the app. There are also more specific playlists like Discover which suggest songs and artists similar to the ones you currently listen to.
The clips won't be as long as TikTok videos, since music doesn't typically exceed five minutes. Instead, you will be presented with 30-second Samples, which is more than enough to determine whether you like the music or not.
All you have to do is swipe up to skip and listen to another song sample. YouTube Music product manager Gregor Dodson says that the algorithms for Supermix and Discover are different, as mentioned in Engadget.
It's an easy way to expand your playlists since they are already buttons in place designed for that. The thumbs-up button allows you to save the song to your "liked songs" list, and you can directly add the track to your existing playlists as well.
If you find the music interesting and want to listen to it at full length, all you have to do is tap the play button just under "share" on the right side of the screen. You can listen to as many recommendations as you want since the feed is basically endless.
Read also: Telegram is Launching Its Stories Feature for All Users
Telegram Did It Too
Unlike YouTube Music's Samples, the new Telegram Stories Feature functions just like that of TikTok and Instagram Reels. Any user will be able to post content that they can add a caption and audio, as well as edit the clip itself and add other elements like stickers.
In YouTube Music's new discovery feature, they are most likely from artists who already have an established career. Either way, they are still vertical-form short videos that are meant to retain user engagement within the app.
Telegram, on the other hand, took the format to a whole new level, since users can now edit the clips even after posting them, as opposed to having to start over when you find a mistake in the short-form video you just posted.
Related: YouTube Premium, Music Quietly Gets Small Price Increase
