YouTube Shorts Rolls Out New Features Including Dislike Button Removal, Clear Screen, and Double Speed Playback
Quick Look
- YouTube has announced several new features for Shorts, including the complete removal of the dislike button, the introduction of a Clear Screen mode, and double speed playback.
- These updates aim to make the platform more intuitive, though the dislike button removal has drawn mixed reactions from users.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
YouTube Shorts, launched in 2020, has grown to 200 billion daily views, comparable to Instagram Reels. YouTube is now implementing several changes to make Shorts more intuitive for users.
YouTube Shorts only launched in 2020 but has since become a behemoth with 200 billion daily views as of last year, about the same as rival Instagram Reels. Now, YouTube has announced that it's making Shorts more "intuitive" with several key changes, including the removal of dislikes, a clear screen mode and double speed playback.
YouTube started hiding dislike counts years ago, but it has now removed the button completely on Shorts. "Instead, we'll rely on our more precise controls, 'Not Interested' and 'Don't recommend this channel,' to more accurately tune your feed and serve up content you'll love," the team said in a blog post. It has also replaced the "like" button with a heart to provide a "more meaningful way" to interact with content.
Some Reddit commenters noted that removing the dislike button will make it harder to express contempt for AI slop and other bad content. Another noted, though, that the dislike button "messes with the logic of engagement" and that the "Not interested" and "Don't recommend" options are a better way to avoid undesirable content.
The new Clear Screen mode is an obvious nod to TikTok's clear mode. YouTube said that the interface can sometimes feel like "splotches on your windshield" so you now have the option to turn it off completely in the three-dot settings menu . YouTube also changed the way you mute video on Shorts if you blast sound in an inappropriate place. You now have to tap the video to stop it, then tap the "mute" button that appears.
Finally, YouTube now lets you play Shorts at double speed by tapping and holding on the screen. You can then drag down to lock it for the duration of the video. YouTube called that "the most requested feature" for Shorts. The new settings are now rolling out in most regions, but may be coming a staggered fashion. For instance in my location in France, I've had the double playback speed for at least a few weeks, but the dislike button is still there.
Open Questions
- How will the removal of the dislike button impact content quality?
- Will the staggered rollout of features cause user confusion?
