---
title: "YouTube Shorts is changing the game: goodbye dislike button and hello clean screen mode"
description: "YouTube is radically changing the Shorts interface: the dislike button is gone, and the like turns into a heart ❤️. Also, a clean screen mode and double video speed appear. Updates are already being tested, and the service's audience continues to grow, reaching 200 billion views per day 📈."
date: 2026-06-26T08:08:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/youtube-shorts-changes-removal-of-dislike-button-and-clean-screen-mode
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# YouTube Shorts is changing the game: goodbye dislike button and hello clean screen mode

![Smartphones displaying YouTube: one shows the logo, the other shows the interface with Shorts and videos, illustrating platform changes](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/26/youtube-shorts-izmeneniya-udalenie-dislayka-i-rezhim-chistogo-ekrana/youtube-shorts-izmeneniya-udalenie-dislayka-i-rezhim-chistogo-ekrana-1.webp)

YouTube has announced a major update to its Shorts short-form video service. The platform, which is rapidly gaining an audience, is preparing a series of fundamental changes to its interface and content interaction logic. Among the key innovations are the complete removal of the dislike button, the ability to double the playback speed, and the introduction of a mode without visual clutter.

Information about the changes was confirmed by the YouTube Official Blog, as cited by RBC-Ukraine. The company has not yet disclosed the exact dates for the global launch of the updates, however, it is noted that new features will be rolled out gradually to different audience segments.

### The end of the dislike era and new reactions

One of the most discussed decisions was the announcement of the elimination of the "thumbs down" button. YouTube explains this by the desire to make the internet space more friendly. However, this does not mean that users are deprived of the ability to manage their feed.

Now, to clear the feed of unwanted content, users will have to open the additional menu more often. Instead of the familiar dislike, it will be necessary to use the "Not Interested" or "Don't recommend this channel" functions.

The changes also affected approval reactions: the traditional "like" button with a thumbs up has been replaced by a heart emoji, which visually brings the interface closer to other popular social networks.

### "Clean Screen" mode and new speeds

An important innovation will be the "Clean Screen" mode. This option will allow users to temporarily hide all text descriptions, tags, and floating interface icons. This approach will ensure a clean viewing of the video itself without visual noise, which is especially relevant for dynamic content.

In addition, developers have implemented a double-speed playback function, allowing users to scroll through content faster or rewatch necessary moments.

### Statistics and trends: a look into the future

Despite the fact that YouTube entered the short-form video market with a significant delay compared to TikTok and Instagram Reels, the service managed to demonstrate rapid audience growth.

According to Neil Mohan, the platform's CEO, as of June 2025, Shorts averaged 200 billion views daily. At the same time, it is important to consider the specific nature of the counting: YouTube records a view from the first second the user opens the video.

A separate important trend of 2026 was the shift of short-form video consumption to large home TV screens. According to the latest reports, the volume of Shorts views via Smart TV apps has already reached the mark of 2 billion hours of content per month.

The updated interface logic is designed to further simplify interaction with this type of media on all compatible devices, making viewing on TVs just as convenient as on smartphones.