This is just adding the hidden filters such as
before:[date]: Finds videos uploaded before a specific date.
Example: space exploration before:2020-01-01
after:[date]: Finds videos uploaded after a specific date.
Example: tech news after:2024-01-01
To an UI, right?
You're basically right, it's just a UI for the old search filters, at least for the ones that still work today.
One of the first things I do on a new device is install an extension to expose these hidden filters, and to hide recommended videos + redirect the homepage to the subscriptions tab.
As long I doesn't shove "shorts" or "other people watched" in the result list, it's an improvement. Sometimes the results are so egregious and completely unrelated to the search terms that I feel like youtube wants to piss me off on purpose. I don't want to be searching some quantum physics video and get videos of some barely clothed women in Miami, I fail to see how it is related...
I think that it's a fair title - it takes the "hidden" search terms and brings them to the surface for users.
The (default) YouTube search is barely useful
They have made a search WITH the advanced features available
Everything as advertised (IMO)
One of the problems with YouTube seach is that they also stop showing you what you searched for after a couple of videos, instead you get the same crap you find on the homepage, which is bewildering.