According to new reports, YouTube is testing a redesigned app experience that hides several key elements when you are watching a YouTube video on mobile and some include the YouTube comment section, channel logo and subscriber count as well as the share and download buttons. All these choices are now hidden under a dropdown menu, so the YouTube comment section is slightly less available to viewers right from the start.
The comment section of YouTube is one of its most interactive aspects, allowing users to share their thoughts and interact with creators and other users. Burying YouTube comments behind a dropdown button is a major change to the UI that might push users to behave differently, at least within the mobile app.
YouTube’s New UI Changes Explained
In this new layout, the YouTube comment section and other video-related info do not disappear completely, but get moved around. To be able to see the YouTube comment section, they will have to tap a dropdown arrow next to the title of the video. This step is said to be aimed at having a cleaner interface, and to provide more room to the video content.
This UI apparently hides a few things, according to early testers who shared screenshots.
- Channel logo and subscriber count
- Share and download buttons
- The YouTube comment section
The change has not gone down well with users on Discord and Reddit, who are panning the move. They say the YouTube comment section is invaluable for seeing fan reaction and community dialogue. Hiding it might discourage engagement, and make the app seem less responsive.
Why YouTube Would Want to Bury the Comments Section
YouTube often updates its mobile app to enhance usability and cater to the arrival of new content trends. It does so by obscuring the the YouTube comment section and other elements of the interface which means you can now watch more of the video without additional distractions.
But this change may not please those you do turn to the YouTube comment section to listen in to the community or to see the reactions of the public before actually watching a video. Reddit users complained that taking away the ability to comment on YouTube in real-time seems like a failure of interactivity.
Responses of the Community to the Hidden Comment Section
- The new UI is hated by most users as it’s harder to reach the comment section of YouTube.
- Some believe this will drive engagement and community down.
- Others do admit that having a cleaner viewing screen would probably be more appealing to the casual foreign viewer.
Both on Twitter and Reddit, plenty have chimed in to criticize the YouTube hidden comments UI and wherever we turn, someone seems to hate it, with so much criticism it is possible to see Google not rolling this out for good.
