New Features and Updates for YouTube Viewers
Announcement
Hello, YouTube viewers!
Those of us who work on the YouTube Community team are always trying to find new means of connection to our viewers - new ways to communicate with you around exciting updates to the watch experience on YouTube, upcoming product launches, and interesting experiments we’re testing out on the platform. To make it easier for us to communicate and connect with you, we built this one-stop-shop forum that you can come to to keep updated on all things viewers.
If you subscribe using the button below, you’ll receive an email in your inbox every time we update this post (~1-3x per month) with announcements that we think you’ll find helpful and relevant to you as a viewer.
You can expect to see updates on 🔬Experiments, 🎉Feature Updates, 📝 Policy Updates,❗Tips & ❓FAQs, 📢Reminders & Announcements
Talk soon!
- Meaghan, TeamYouTube
- Meaghan, TeamYouTube
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Aug 8, 2023
📢 [January 12, 2024] Update: We are in the process of rolling out this new experience wherever it applies, including to new YouTube viewers who haven’t watched a video yet.
📢 [August 8, 2023] A new viewer experience that better corresponds to your YouTube watch history preferences
One of the benefits of having YouTube watch history on is that it enables YouTube to provide video recommendations you may be interested in; however, we know some prefer to clear and turn off your YouTube watch history. Starting today, we’re changing how you see recommendations on YouTube, based on your Watch History settings:
One of the benefits of having YouTube watch history on is that it enables YouTube to provide video recommendations you may be interested in; however, we know some prefer to clear and turn off your YouTube watch history. Starting today, we’re changing how you see recommendations on YouTube, based on your Watch History settings:
Starting today, if you have YouTube watch history off and have no significant prior watch history, features that require watch history to provide video recommendations will be disabled – like your YouTube home feed. This means that starting today, your home feed may look a lot different: you’ll be able to see the search bar and the left-hand guide menu, with no feed of recommended videos thus allowing you to more easily search, browse subscribed channels and explore Topic tabs instead.
We’re rolling these changes out slowly, over the next few months. We are launching this new experience to make it more clear which YouTube features rely on watch history to provide video recommendations and make it more streamlined for those of you who prefer to search rather than browse recommendations. You can change your YouTube watch history settings at any time based on whether you prefer us to provide video recommendations or not.
To turn history on or off, visit My Google Activity at myactivity.google.com/activitycontrols. To learn more about watch history, visit the Help Center.
Last edited Jan 19, 2024
🎉 [March 1, 2023] Launching Images within Community Tab Polls on iOS
You may begin to see images in even more of the Community tab polls you vote on! We’re launching this feature to creators on iOS after months of positive feedback from both viewers who interact with polls and creators on Android who make the polls themselves
- Creators on iOS now have the option to include up to 4 images in the polls they post on the Community tab
- The YouTube community has consistently said that images on poll posts are engaging and fun, so we’re excited to expand this feature to even more channels!
- You will be able to see and interact with images on polls across Android, iOS, and desktop
- If you’re a creator: learn how to add images to your Community tab polls in our Help Center
🎉 [December 8, 2022] New Viewing Experience for Vertical Videos
We’re launching a new experience on YouTube that displays vertically-oriented videos in a cleaner way, making it easier for viewers to preview the content that you’re interested in
- Prior to this change being made, a black void space would appear on both sides of vertically-oriented videos to fill up the unused space in feeds’ horizontal layout. You told us that this display was difficult to engage with, which is why we’re making this update across YouTube’s home, search, and subscription feeds (the latter two surfaces launching in a few months)!
- In the new, more immersive experience, videos with a tall aspect ratio will render in one of two ways:
- With a square aspect ratio for square videos
- With an auto-generated 4:5 aspect ratio for vertical videos
- Note: The 4:5 thumbnail will auto-generate from a frame from the video and will override any custom thumbnails that content may have had
- This update is rolling out to viewers on Android and iOS devices and will be available on the homepage first, with other devices and locations launching in a few months
Last edited Dec 8, 2022
🎉 [November 7, 2022] Watch Shorts on your Smart TVs, Streaming Devices, and Gaming Consoles
- Shorts have hit the big screen! For the first time, Shorts are rolling out to smart TVs, streaming devices, and gaming consoles made in 2019 and later for you to enjoy right in your living room
- Videos will play in the Shorts player when accessed via the Shorts shelf on your YouTube homepage or via the Shorts shelf on a creator’s channel page
- In addition to watching Shorts in these new places, you can also interact with them by liking/disliking videos, subscribing to creators’ channels after watching their Shorts, and reading the titles and descriptions of Shorts content just as you would when watching on your mobile devices or computers
- This update begins to roll out today - watch Shorts on your TV, streaming device, or gaming console and let us know what you think of the viewing experience!
🎉 [October 27, 2022] Separate Tabs for Shorts, Live Streams, and Videos on the Channel Page
Based on your feedback, we’re beginning to roll out separate tabs for Shorts, live streams, and long-form videos on all channel pages. We’ve heard that this will make it easier for viewers to discover the kinds of content they’re most interested in when exploring a creator’s channel page, so we’re excited to bring this to you all!
- Shorts tab: Here you’ll only see Shorts. When you are watching Shorts in the Shorts feed and navigate to a creator’s channel from the feed, you will be directed right to this new tab to keep enjoying Shorts
- Live tab: You’ll find all streams in this tab including any that are currently active, scheduled, or archived
- Videos tab: This will continue to house long-form content
- Moving forward, you will no longer see Shorts or live streams in the Videos tab
- This update begins to roll out today. In the coming weeks, you’ll find the new Shorts and Live tabs next to the classic Videos tab across all devices
Last edited Oct 27, 2022
🎉 [September 12, 2022] Images within Community Tab Polls Created on Computers
A few months ago, we launched images in Community tab polls to creators on Android and we're happy to share that this feature is now available to creators on desktop as well!
- When creating Community tab polls on your computer, creators have the option to include up to 4 images
- As viewers, you will be able to see and interact with images on polls across Android, iOS, and desktop
- If you’re a creator: learn how to add images to your Community tab polls in our Help Center
Last edited Dec 9, 2022
🎉 [August 4, 2022] Shorts Shelf in the Subscriptions Tab
To make it easier for you to discover Shorts content made by the channels you subscribe to, we are launching a Shorts-specific shelf housed in the Subscriptions tab
- We have been testing this feature for the past few months and received positive feedback from viewers, so we’re excited that it begins rolling out to everyone today!
Last edited Aug 3, 2022
Jun 11, 2022
🎉 [May 9, 2022] Improvements to Music Mixes
Last month, we took another step to improve artist diversity in our music mixes on YouTube by fixing an uncommon but very visible issue where you were repeatedly recommended the same artists. We also made some updates that try to capture how attentive you are when listening to these mixes, so that we can further improve the lean-back listening experience (so you don’t have to actively keep finding the next great song to play yourself!).
Last month, we took another step to improve artist diversity in our music mixes on YouTube by fixing an uncommon but very visible issue where you were repeatedly recommended the same artists. We also made some updates that try to capture how attentive you are when listening to these mixes, so that we can further improve the lean-back listening experience (so you don’t have to actively keep finding the next great song to play yourself!).
- Read more about YouTube Mixes at our Help Center
- More on how we’re making improvements to YouTube Music here
Last edited Jun 13, 2022
Jun 11, 2022
🎉 [April 12, 2022] Recommended Music Shelf on YouTube App for TVs
If you’re using the YouTube app on a Smart TV or gaming console, you’ll notice a new ‘Recommended music’ shelf on the homepage. This lets you easily access top music videos (based on your listening history on YouTube and YouTube Music) without having to click into the music tab on the left panel!
If you’re using the YouTube app on a Smart TV or gaming console, you’ll notice a new ‘Recommended music’ shelf on the homepage. This lets you easily access top music videos (based on your listening history on YouTube and YouTube Music) without having to click into the music tab on the left panel!
Last edited Jun 13, 2022
🎉 [June 2, 2022] Launching Images within Community Tab Polls
You may begin to see images in the Community tab polls you vote on! Beginning in June, we’re giving Android creators the option to include up to 4 images in the polls they post on the Community tab
- In our initial experiments, we heard that images on poll posts are more engaging and fun, so we’re excited to expand this feature to more channels!
- This will be available to creators on Android initially, but we are planning to expand to iOS and desktop soon
- You will be able to see and interact with images on polls across Android, iOS, and desktop
- If you’re a creator: learn how to add images to your Community tab polls in our Help Center
Last edited Jun 2, 2022
🎉 [April 26th, 2022] Supporting Your Favorite Creators with Super Thanks
Starting today, you might see more content on YouTube that has a “Super Thanks” button below the video. Super Thanks is the newest way for you to support some of your favorite creators on YouTube or to say thank you for specific videos that taught you something new or helped you.
- You can support your favorite creators and videos by purchasing a Super Thanks. Click or tap on the heart icon <<add icon>> below the video, in the same section where the “Like” and “Share” buttons are
- When you purchase an animated Super Thanks, you’ll get to post a colorful comment that helps you stand out in the comments section (subject to Community Guidelines), and lets the creator know you supported them. And the creator may even give you a special shoutout!
- More information on eligibility and purchase details here
- Check out what Super Thanks looks like in our video here.
Last edited Jun 13, 2022
1 Video
🔬 [December 6, 2021] Testing Viewer ‘Collections’ in the Subscriptions Feed
To make it easier for viewers (like you!) to organize and find content quickly in your Subs feed, we’re testing out customizable ‘collections’ that will appear at the top of your feed.
- Note: all content from subscribed-to channels will still appear in reverse chronological order underneath collections, same as they appear today
- If you’re in the experiment, you’ll see we’re starting off with a Favorites collection which is based on subscriptions you’ve recently watched
- You can edit your collections, including the Favorites collection, by simply adding or removing channels from your Favorites
- You’ll also be able to create new collections around topics, creators, and other content you enjoy
- This experiment is only available to a small percentage of viewers on Android and iOS while we test and gather feedback
🎉 [December 2, 2021] Cast to your TV with Google Chromecast
For folks who watch YouTube on your TVs with Google Chromecast, we announced that you can now use your phone as a remote to cast and control the YouTube app with your TV.
- More information, including instructions on how to cast YouTube using your phone, can be found here
📢 [November 10, 2021] An Update to the YouTube Dislike Count
We announced that we are making dislike counts private across YouTube to protect creators from being targeted by dislike attacks.
- We had run an experiment testing the private dislike count earlier in the year and used data from the experiment to make this decision because the experiment had proven that hiding the count reduces dislike attacking behavior
- As viewers, you will no longer be able to see the number of dislikes that a video has, but you will still be able to use the dislike button (which has not been removed!) to personalize and tune your recommendations
- Read more in the forum here
Last edited Dec 7, 2021
🎉 [October 25, 2021] Introducing “New to You” on the YouTube Homepage
We introduced a new way to discover more content on the YouTube homepage - this tappable feature is called “New to you” and it’s available across mobile, desktop, and TV devices.
- To discover new creators and fresh content, simply tap “New to you” in the topic bar
- We built this feature based on viewers’ feedback around wanting to be able to more easily see new creators and videos after catching up on your recommendations, so we hope you love browsing “New to you”!
- Read more in the forum here
Last edited Dec 7, 2021
All Replies (16)
🎉 [November 7, 2022] Watch Shorts on your Smart TVs, Streaming Devices, and Gaming Consoles
- Shorts have hit the big screen! For the first time, Shorts are rolling out to smart TVs, streaming devices, and gaming consoles made in 2019 and later for you to enjoy right in your living room
- Videos will play in the Shorts player when accessed via the Shorts shelf on your YouTube homepage or via the Shorts shelf on a creator’s channel page
- In addition to watching Shorts in these new places, you can also interact with them by liking/disliking videos, subscribing to creators’ channels after watching their Shorts, and reading the titles and descriptions of Shorts content just as you would when watching on your mobile devices or computers
- This update begins to roll out today - watch Shorts on your TV, streaming device, or gaming console and let us know what you think of the viewing experience!
🎉 [December 8, 2022] New Viewing Experience for Vertical Videos
We’re launching a new experience on YouTube that displays vertically-oriented videos in a cleaner way, making it easier for viewers to preview the content that you’re interested in
- Prior to this change being made, a black void space would appear on both sides of vertically-oriented videos to fill up the unused space in feeds’ horizontal layout. You told us that this display was difficult to engage with, which is why we’re making this update across YouTube’s home, search, and subscription feeds (the latter two surfaces launching in a few months)!
- In the new, more immersive experience, videos with a tall aspect ratio will render in one of two ways:
- With a square aspect ratio for square videos
- With an auto-generated 4:5 aspect ratio for vertical videos
- Note: The 4:5 thumbnail will auto-generate from a frame from the video and will override any custom thumbnails that content may have had
- This update is rolling out to viewers on Android and iOS devices and will be available on the homepage first, with other devices and locations launching in a few months
Last edited Dec 8, 2022
🎉 [March 1, 2023] Launching Images within Community Tab Polls on iOS
You may begin to see images in even more of the Community tab polls you vote on! We’re launching this feature to creators on iOS after months of positive feedback from both viewers who interact with polls and creators on Android who make the polls themselves
- Creators on iOS now have the option to include up to 4 images in the polls they post on the Community tab
- The YouTube community has consistently said that images on poll posts are engaging and fun, so we’re excited to expand this feature to even more channels!
- You will be able to see and interact with images on polls across Android, iOS, and desktop
- If you’re a creator: learn how to add images to your Community tab polls in our Help Center
Aug 8, 2023
📢 [January 12, 2024] Update: We are in the process of rolling out this new experience wherever it applies, including to new YouTube viewers who haven’t watched a video yet.
📢 [August 8, 2023] A new viewer experience that better corresponds to your YouTube watch history preferences
One of the benefits of having YouTube watch history on is that it enables YouTube to provide video recommendations you may be interested in; however, we know some prefer to clear and turn off your YouTube watch history. Starting today, we’re changing how you see recommendations on YouTube, based on your Watch History settings:
One of the benefits of having YouTube watch history on is that it enables YouTube to provide video recommendations you may be interested in; however, we know some prefer to clear and turn off your YouTube watch history. Starting today, we’re changing how you see recommendations on YouTube, based on your Watch History settings:
Starting today, if you have YouTube watch history off and have no significant prior watch history, features that require watch history to provide video recommendations will be disabled – like your YouTube home feed. This means that starting today, your home feed may look a lot different: you’ll be able to see the search bar and the left-hand guide menu, with no feed of recommended videos thus allowing you to more easily search, browse subscribed channels and explore Topic tabs instead.
We’re rolling these changes out slowly, over the next few months. We are launching this new experience to make it more clear which YouTube features rely on watch history to provide video recommendations and make it more streamlined for those of you who prefer to search rather than browse recommendations. You can change your YouTube watch history settings at any time based on whether you prefer us to provide video recommendations or not.
To turn history on or off, visit My Google Activity at myactivity.google.com/activitycontrols. To learn more about watch history, visit the Help Center.
Last edited Jan 19, 2024