URGENT UPDATE: YouTube has just announced a new feature allowing users to finally dismiss those pesky end screens on videos. This change, revealed on Wednesday, aims to enhance user experience but comes with a significant limitation.
End screens, often viewed as distractions, allow creators to link to other content in the final moments of their videos. While these links can be useful for creators, they frequently obstruct the video content, potentially causing viewers to miss crucial moments. Now, users will see a “Hide” button in the top-right corner of videos featuring end screens. Clicking this button enables viewers to return to their content without the interference of links that may cover the screen.
However, this new functionality has a major caveat: it applies only to individual videos. This means that viewers must dismiss the end screen every time they encounter it, which can be frustrating given that it only appears during the last moments of a video. As users are likely to have only five to twenty seconds left, the timing of this feature raises questions about its practicality.
“I’d appreciate having the option at the start of the video at least,” one user commented, highlighting the collective sentiment among viewers. The choice to minimize end screens could very well shape how audiences interact with content on the platform moving forward.
To further streamline the viewing experience, YouTube is also removing the Subscribe button that previously appeared when users hovered over the video’s watermark. According to YouTube, this decision responds to viewer feedback indicating a desire to reduce distractions and focus more on the content being watched.
As the conversation continues, viewers can expect a mix of reactions on social media platforms, particularly in communities like The Verge’s comment section, where many express similar frustrations.
What should viewers watch for next? YouTube’s ongoing adjustments to its user interface and how these changes will impact overall engagement. As video consumption habits evolve, the platform’s responsiveness to user feedback will be crucial in determining its success.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops!
