YouTube Walks Back On Website Redesign After Reaping Disdain About Clutter
Photo 304843475 © Rokas Tenys | Dreamstime.com
YouTube has hit rewind on a major overhaul of its desktop website it was testing earlier this month. The new layout prioritized a more visual experience, featuring larger and bolder video recommendations positioned below the video player. However, a key shift involved relocating video information—titles, descriptions, and comments—to a sidebar.
This marked a significant departure from the platform’s familiar format, where the video player takes center stage with supporting details neatly arranged underneath. The shift proved unpopular with a portion of the user base who participated in the limited rollout.
Dafaq is this YouTube redesign? Comments on side and video suggestions on bottom?? pic.twitter.com/06yQ9MVy1Z
— Harshit Jain (@harshit23897) April 17, 2024
While some viewers may have undoubtedly resisted change on principle, the criticism extended beyond simple aversion to novelty. Many expressed concerns about the redesigned website's usability.
new youtube UI with the suggestions at the bottom is so cluttered pic.twitter.com/okEkHA2HwT
— Ananay (@ananayarora) April 10, 2024
I realllly do not like the Youtube desktop redesign.
— ahmad (@aesopsolo) April 17, 2024
Comments should be under the video and on the right side bar should be recommended videos.
A major sticking point was the separation of video information from the player itself. This meant users would have to scroll away from the video to access comments or revisit details, disrupting their established workflow and causing frustration.
Taking this negative feedback into account, YouTube has seemingly opted to scrap the redesign entirely. The platform appears to have reverted back to its familiar layout, where video information resides conveniently beneath the playback window. With that, some users say they’re still encountering the contentious design.
[via 9to5Google, Android Authority, Android Police, images via various sources]
