YouTube Shorts is introducing double speed and a neater appearance, but it will also be removing the dislike button.

      YouTube has announced four updates for Shorts, including two beneficial enhancements, one cosmetic alteration, and one decision that may provoke debate in the comments.

      Starting with the positives, YouTube now introduces a Clear Screen mode, which removes all overlays from the Shorts player, allowing the video to utilize the entire screen without distractions.

      So, what changes can we expect on YouTube Shorts?

      Users will also have the option to play videos at 2x speed by pulling down on the screen, a feature already available by default for long-form content, like podcasts. The 2x speed feature could be particularly useful for Shorts that approach the maximum length of 3 minutes.

      Additionally, there's now a simpler mute option (just tap to pause, then tap the mute icon) and the capability to set a timer for Shorts, even to zero if you wish to stop completely.

      It seems that YouTube has taken inspiration from Instagram's approach, as three of these four updates are already present in Reels.

      Is eliminating the dislike button from Shorts a sound decision?

      Another point that might ignite discussions is YouTube's transformation of the thumbs-up icon into a heart, which is a minor visual change.

      However, YouTube is also removing the dislike button from Shorts entirely (similar to its decision to hide the dislike count in 2021). Consequently, the dislike option will no longer appear between the thumbs-up and comment buttons on the right side of the screen.

      The control menu will be reduced from five to four options. If you encounter content you dislike, you can still click the three-dot button at the top right and choose “Not Interested,” “Don’t Recommend This Channel,” or “Report.”

      YouTube's rationale seems reasonable initially. The platform suggests there may be various reasons for disliking a Short, from poor audio quality to simply not aligning with one's interests, and that the new options afford viewers more influence over their feed.

      While this reasoning has its merit, the dislike button has historically provided viewers a way to express dissatisfaction with low-quality content. These updates are being rolled out gradually and might take some time to be available to all users.