YouTube refreshes Shorts with 2x playback and cleaner viewing mode

New Delhi: YouTube has announced a series of updates to Shorts, introducing a redesigned viewing experience with new playback controls, feed curation tools and interface changes. The company said the updates, which begin rolling out from today, are based on user feedback gathered since the launch of YouTube Shorts more than five years ago. Among the changes is a new Clear Screen mode that temporarily removes on-screen icons and text, allowing users to watch videos without interface overlays. The platform is also adding 2x playback speed, one of the most requested features from the Shorts community, enabling viewers to watch videos more quickly. Additional playback controls include the ability to mute audio through an on-screen mute icon after pausing a video, as well as the option to set the Shorts timer, including to zero. YouTube is also revising how users interact with Shorts. The existing thumbs-up button will be replaced with a heart icon, while the dislike button will be removed from the Shorts player. Explaining the change, YouTube said, "We're introducing the heart icon to replace the thumbs-up, providing a more meaningful way to express when a video truly connects with you." Instead of a dislike option, users will be able to refine recommendations through the existing "Not Interested" and "Don't recommend this channel" controls. The company said these options provide more accurate signals for content recommendations because users often use the dislike button for different reasons, ranging from poor production quality to personal preference. Users will continue to be able to report content that they believe violates YouTube's Community Guidelines. The updates form part of YouTube's ongoing changes to the Shorts experience as competition in the short-form video market continues to evolve, with platforms placing greater emphasis on user control, personalised recommendations and streamlined viewing interfaces.