YouTube Shorts nixes dislikes and lets you double playback speed

At a glance:\n- YouTube Shorts has removed the dislike button, replacing it with heart likes and new feed controls.\n- A new clear-screen mode, inspired by TikTok, lets users hide interface clutter.\n- Users can now double playback speed on Shorts by tapping and holding, a feature rolled out in most regions.\n\n## What changed\nYouTube Shorts, launched in 2020, has grown to 200 billion daily views, matching rivals like Instagram Reels. The platform has now taken a bold step by removing the dislike button entirely from Shorts videos. Instead, creators and viewers rely on more precise controls such as "Not Interested" and "Don't recommend this channel" to fine‑tune the feed, while the traditional "like" button is replaced by a heart to signal a more meaningful interaction.\n\n## How to use the new features\nThe new clear-screen mode is a direct nod to TikTok’s similar feature. YouTube says the interface can feel like "splotches on your windshield," so users can turn it off by selecting the three-dot menu in the settings. In addition, muting a Shorts video now requires tapping the video to pause it, then tapping the mute button that appears.\n\nDouble-speed playback is now available by simply tapping and holding the screen; dragging the slider down locks the speed for the remainder of the clip. YouTube described this as "the most requested feature" for Shorts, making it easier for viewers to consume content quickly.\n\n## Why it matters\nRemoving the dislike button shifts the way feedback is expressed, a move that some Reddit users say will make it harder to signal contempt for low-quality or AI-generated content. Others argue that the dislike button "messes with the logic of engagement" and that the new feed-tuning options are a better way to avoid unwanted videos. By tightening the feedback loop, YouTube hopes to serve up content that users love while reducing clutter.\n\n## Regional rollout and availability\nThe new settings are rolling out in most regions, but the rollout may be staggered. In France, for example, users can already double playback speed, yet the dislike button remains visible. YouTube has not yet announced a global schedule, so availability will likely vary by country.