Apps & Consumer
YouTube updates Shorts with playback speed and interface changes
YouTube is rolling out updates to its Shorts platform, including playback speed controls and interface changes, though the company has not provided a specific timeline for the rollout.
On Thursday, the Google-owned video platform YouTube announced that it is rolling out a series of changes to Shorts, its short-form video feature. Among the primary updates is a new setting that allows users to double their playback speed, introducing a new method that lets users shrink the overall duration of short-form videos. Alongside these playback controls, the platform is introducing a new “Clear Screen mode” designed to temporarily hide icons and text from the playback view. YouTube is also modifying its engagement metrics by removing the dislike button from Shorts entirely. Instead of using a traditional thumbs-up button to express approval, users will now have access to a heart emoji.
According to the company, these interface and functional changes are designed to create “a more intuitive Shorts experience.” The platform stated that the option to double playback speed is intended to allow users to “absorb information more quickly or find your favorite part faster.” However, the exact timeline for when these updates will take effect remains unclear. The company stated that the features will be rolling out over time, but it did not give exact dates for the release.
These updates come as YouTube continues to scale its short-form video product to compete with rivals like TikTok and Instagram Reels. Despite entering the short-form video space after its competitors, YouTube has grown the feature significantly. According to YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, the platform’s Shorts feature was averaging 200 billion daily views as of June 2025. Additionally, a report indicated that Shorts are being watched on viewers’ television screens, with as much as 2 billion hours of such content being consumed on TV screens per month.
Why it matters
YouTube is refining its short-form video product to better compete with rivals like TikTok and Instagram Reels by prioritizing user interface and playback control. These updates highlight how the platform is focusing on user experience and playback customization to maintain engagement in the competitive short-form video segment.