- YouTube is testing a new mobile UI that hides several elements below the video player, including the channel name and comments section.
- Tapping a new dropdown arrow next to the video’s title reveals the hidden information, such as the creator’s channel details and subscriber count.
- This change declutters the screen to show more related videos, but adds an extra tap for users who want to read comments or visit the creator’s channel.
To stay ahead of the competition, YouTube constantly tests UI changes to improve engagement and retention. It feels like we can’t go a week without seeing some changes that polarize users. The latest change we’ve spotted continues this trend: it will likely please viewers who dislike the comments section but annoy those who enjoy browsing creator channels.
Earlier today, Discord user gelatinized tipped us off to a new video player UI they’re seeing in the YouTube mobile app. In screenshots they shared, several elements below the video are now hidden by default, including the channel logo, name, subscriber count, and text labels for buttons like “Share,” “Ask,” and “Download.” Most notably, the comments box is also tucked away. These elements aren’t gone for good, though, as tapping a new dropdown arrow to the right of the video’s title reveals them.