YouTube has quietly rolled out a new behavior for its Shorts feature that’s causing frustration among users. The platform now automatically pauses videos when viewers tap on the video to exit the comments, forcing them to manually resume playback. So instead of exiting comments, the app just stays in the comments section with the video paused. Naturally, many users are upset with the change and have been voicing their frustrations on Reddit.
They say it messes with their habits and makes the app feel clunkier. One thread after another pops up in the r/youtube subreddit, full of people asking if anyone else is dealing with this. It’s not just a one-off bug, either. Reports suggest it’s part of a recent update, likely aimed at refining how Shorts handles interactions. YouTube often tweaks its interface to boost engagement or match rivals like TikTok, where comments and quick swipes are key. But changes like this can backfire when they disrupt what people are used to.
Take it from the users themselves.
Does anyone else hate that you can no longer press on the video to exit the comments in shorts – Visible_Detective197
This stupid app gets worse everyday. You can’t just tap the video to get out of the shorts comments anymore you have to actually swipe down on them. – No_Box_6422
BROOO I WAS LOOKING FOR THIS EXACT THREAD😭 i know im gonna sound like a little baby complaining abt small things but genuinely what made them think this is gonna be a good idea?? this was such an unnecessary update – Primary_Willow_5812
Yes this has completely thrown off my muscle memory – archwolfgamer
These quotes capture the raw frustration. Folks mention accidentally liking videos or pausing when they don’t mean to, all because their fingers remember the old way. The previous setup was smoother. You didn’t have to hunt for that tiny ‘X’ button in the corner or swipe down. A quick tap anywhere on the video above would make it fullscreen again. It felt intuitive, especially on a phone where every second counts. If you doomscroll through Instagram Reels too, you’ll be used to the same method of tapping anywhere on the video to exit the comments section.
I’ve noticed this behavior on my end too, and I don’t like it one bit. It breaks the flow when you’re binge-watching Shorts. Why fix what wasn’t broken? I recorded the screen on the iOS app for reference. Note that when the Shorts video pauses, that’s when I’m tapping on the video:
Some speculate it’s to encourage more time in comments, boosting interaction metrics. Others think it’s a glitch that’ll get patched soon. YouTube hasn’t commented officially yet, but if the backlash grows, they might rethink it.
Nevertheless, I feel like the option to swipe down to exit the comments is still a decent solution compared to tapping the ‘X’ button. Just that it might take a short while to get used to if you’ve been tapping on the video primarily before this change. Feel free to share your thoughts on this in the comments section below.
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Dwayne Cubbins
1166 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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