YouTube Shorts viewers have recently noticed that practically half the content is now hidden behind buttons and now a comments overlay. This overlay, often appearing near the bottom of the screen, frequently obscures vital elements like subtitles and other on-screen text, creating a frustrating viewing experience.
For many, the appeal of Shorts lies in their quick, digestible nature. However, the recent change seems to undermine this by introducing unnecessary clutter. Users are reporting that critical information in videos, such as captions in a silent viewing environment or punchlines in comedic skits, are now being hidden. This design choice feels particularly baffling to many, especially when there is ample unused screen space, particularly on larger displays or ultrawide monitors, that could house these elements without impeding content.
One Reddit user on the r/youtube subreddit, Smooth_Pollution441, voiced their displeasure, stating,
Another pointless sh*t change that makes the app worse, i can’t see the subtitles now.
That thread has garnered over 800 upvotes in just 1 day. And this isn’t the only thread, as we’re seeing more users complain about the issue. Some users claim that YouTube’s continuous UI adjustments seem to prioritize engagement metrics over user experience.
Another user, simpsim69, shared a similar concern, highlighting the ever-increasing amount of visual clutter:
As if there wasn’t enough sh*t covering my screen already..
Indeed, the current layout already includes numerous icons and text elements, and the addition of a comment overlay further exacerbates the problem. This lack of a “full screen” or “distraction-free” mode for Shorts is a common point of contention. One user shared a temporary, albeit inconvenient, workaround: opening the comments section and then dragging it down to the bottom of the screen. However, this has to be done for every video, making it a far from ideal solution.
So it seems we’ll just have to wait for YouTube to tweak the UI to make it less cluttered. But what are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below.
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Dwayne Cubbins
1163 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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