YouTube upgrades its TV app with QR code shopping and AI-powered video upscaling

YouTube is making its TV app smarter and more interactive. The company has announced several updates, including shoppable QR codes, AI-powered video upscaling, and improved search tools. These features are designed to enhance how users watch and interact with videos on large screens.

QR codes turn videos into shopping hubs

YouTube is introducing QR codes that appear on videos where creators tag products. Viewers can scan these codes using their phones to explore and buy the items featured on-screen. The goal is to make shopping on YouTube smoother while helping creators generate more revenue from their content.

This feature supports a growing trend in interactive shopping. YouTube revealed that viewers watched over 35 billion hours of shopping-related content in the past year. At the same time, channels earning six figures or more from TV screens increased by more than 45%.

While platforms like Roku and Peacock already use QR-based shopping, YouTube’s approach aims to go deeper. It allows creators to link directly to their stores, simplifying the path from inspiration to purchase.

Smarter AI upscaling for sharper visuals

Another highlight is YouTube’s new AI-powered video upscaling. The feature uses artificial intelligence to improve video quality, making visuals appear clearer and more detailed on big screens. This enhancement benefits older or lower-resolution videos that users often watch on smart TVs.

YouTube says the AI upscaling tool is part of its broader effort to deliver a high-quality viewing experience across all devices. It also helps the platform compete with premium streaming services that already use similar AI video technologies.

Better search for living room viewers

Alongside these updates, YouTube is improving how users search for videos on TV. The new search interface is designed to be faster and more intuitive, helping users discover content without relying on typing long queries with a remote control.

These upgrades underline YouTube’s push to dominate the living room entertainment space. According to Nielsen, YouTube accounted for 12.4% of total audience time spent watching television, outperforming giants like Disney, Paramount, and Netflix.

Strengthening YouTube’s TV presence

By combining shopping, AI, and improved usability, YouTube is positioning itself not just as a video platform but also as a living room hub. Its focus on interactive shopping and better visuals signals how the company is merging entertainment with commerce.

As YouTube continues to expand its connected TV presence, these updates could reshape how audiences engage with creators, content, and commerce — all from the comfort of their couch.