YouTube Shorts is introducing double speed and a more streamlined look, but it will also be removing the dislike button.

      YouTube has introduced four updates for Shorts, encompassing both practical improvements and some controversial changes.

      Starting with the positive news, YouTube is adding a Clear Screen mode that removes all overlays from the Shorts player, allowing the video to occupy the entire screen without distractions.

      So, what changes can we expect on YouTube Shorts?

      Shorts will now feature a 2x playback speed (activated by pulling down on the screen), a functionality that long-form content users, particularly podcast listeners, have been using by default. This faster playback could be especially appealing for Shorts nearer to the maximum length of 3 minutes.

      Additionally, there are more practical improvements: a simpler mute option (tap to pause and then tap the mute icon) and the ability to set a timer for Shorts, which can even be set to zero if you want to stop yourself entirely.

      It seems like YouTube has taken several cues from Instagram, given that three of these four updates are already available on Reels.

      Now, let's address the potential discussion point. YouTube is switching the thumbs-up icon to a heart, which is a purely cosmetic alteration.

      However, it will also be eliminating the dislike button from Shorts altogether, similar to its removal of dislike counts in 2021. Consequently, users will no longer find the dislike or thumbs-down button positioned between the thumbs-up and comment buttons on the right side of the screen.

      This change will reduce the overlay menu from five to four controls. If a user dislikes something, they can still click on the three-dot button in the top right corner to select "Not Interested," "Don't Recommend This Channel," or "Report."

      Initially, YouTube's rationale sounds plausible. The platform suggests there could be a variety of reasons for a viewer to dislike a Short, whether it’s poor audio or simply not fitting their preferences, claiming that the available options offer viewers better control over their feed.

      While this reasoning isn't inaccurate, the dislike button has historically served as one of the few avenues for viewers to express dissatisfaction with low-effort content. All these updates will be rolled out gradually and may take time to be accessible to all users.