YouTube is upgrading its Shorts experience with a suite of new features, headlined by a playback speed control that allows users to watch videos at double speed. The update, announced by the Google-owned platform on Thursday, aims to help viewers process information faster or navigate to specific moments with greater efficiency.
New Playback Controls and Interface Tweaks
The platform announced that the ability to accelerate playback is now rolling out. By making already concise content even faster to consume, YouTube intends to improve the overall pace of the Shorts feed.
In a move to refine user interaction, YouTube is also removing the traditional dislike button from the Shorts interface. To discourage specific content, users are directed to use the “Not Interested” or “Don’t recommend this channel” options instead. Simultaneously, the platform is replacing the standard thumbs-up icon with a heart emoji to signify engagement.
Enhanced Viewing Experience
Beyond interaction changes, YouTube is introducing a “Clear Screen mode.” This feature allows users to temporarily hide all icons, text, and interface overlays, providing an unobstructed view of the content.
The company stated that these adjustments are part of an effort to create a more intuitive experience. These features are scheduled to reach all users over the coming weeks.
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Shorts Growth and Market Impact
Since its launch in 2020, YouTube Shorts has seen explosive growth. CEO Neal Mohan said at his keynote in Cannes last year that the platform was averaging 200 billion daily views as of June 2025. It is worth noting that YouTube counts a “view” as the very first moment a video is opened.
Recent data highlights that Shorts are increasingly migrating to the living room, with users consuming up to 2 billion hours of short-form content per month on TV screens.
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