YouTube, the undisputed king of online video, is constantly evolving its platform to enhance the user experience and empower creators. In recent times, the company has been actively experimenting with a range of new display features, signaling a significant shift in how content is presented and discovered. These trials, often rolled out to a small subset of users for A/B testing, aim to optimize everything from collaboration visibility to content discovery, reflecting broader trends in the digital media landscape.
One of the most notable and impactful experiments currently underway is a new display for collaborators on video clips. Following in the footsteps of platforms like Instagram and TikTok, YouTube is testing a feature that allows creators to prominently add collaborators to the video title display. This update aims to provide more direct exposure for participating creators, with their channel avatars stacked alongside the main creator’s and their names listed beneath the title. Clicking a “…and more” tag reveals a full listing of all collaborating channels.
This move is a game-changer for cross-promotion and audience expansion. While collaborations have long been encouraged on YouTube, this new display makes these partnerships far more visible, potentially driving significant traffic to collaborating channels. It’s a logical evolution that acknowledges the growing importance of collaborative content and seeks to give all parties a more equitable share of the spotlight. Given its alignment with established social media practices, it’s highly likely this feature will see a broader rollout in the near future.
Beyond collaborations, YouTube is also tinkering with its general user interface (UI), particularly on desktop. Recent tests have included a redesigned video player with “pill-shaped controls” and a cleaner aesthetic, echoing Material Design 3 principles. While some users have expressed mixed reactions to these changes, citing initial removal of features like mouse scroll for volume control (which YouTube has since re-integrated), the overarching goal appears to be a more modern and consistent visual experience across Google’s ecosystem. These UI adjustments are part of YouTube’s continuous efforts to refine navigation and visual appeal, even if some initial iterations may cause temporary user friction.
In terms of content discovery and trending displays, YouTube is undergoing a significant strategic shift. The platform is moving away from a singular “Trending” page, which YouTube noted had seen declining visits, in favor of category-specific charts. This update, implemented around July 2025, reflects the increasing fragmentation of trends into “micro-trends” enjoyed by diverse communities. By offering charts for Trending Music Videos, Weekly Top Podcast Shows, and Trending Movie Trailers (with more categories planned), YouTube aims to provide more relevant and targeted trend discovery, aligning with how viewers already find new content through recommendations, search, Shorts, and community interactions. This change emphasizes algorithmic recommendations and niche content over broad, generalized trend lists.
Furthermore, YouTube is exploring other display-related innovations:
- Age Verification Display: Amidst growing regulatory pressure, YouTube is actively testing new methods for estimating user ages, which could lead to new display elements or prompts for age verification, particularly for mature content. This is a complex area, with YouTube aiming for accuracy while addressing user privacy concerns and potential loopholes.
- Viewer Notes: A new feature introduced around November 2024 allows eligible viewers to add “brief, informative notes on videos,” providing helpful context and details not explicitly present in the content. This could subtly alter the display of videos by adding a layer of community-driven information, enriching the viewing experience for others.
- Shorts Length and Display: Starting October 15, 2024, creators can upload Shorts up to three minutes in length. This change, while not strictly a “display” feature, directly impacts how Shorts are presented and consumed, potentially blurring the lines between traditional long-form content and short-form video, and requiring adaptations in how they are discovered and recommended.
These experiments highlight YouTube’s commitment to staying at the forefront of online video. By continuously A/B testing and iterating on its display features, YouTube seeks to:
- Enhance Creator Empowerment: Features like collaborator displays directly benefit creators by increasing their visibility and fostering a more interconnected community.
- Improve User Experience: UI refinements and better-targeted content discovery aim to make the platform more intuitive, engaging, and personalized for viewers.
- Adapt to Evolving Consumption Habits: The shift from a single “Trending” page to category-specific charts acknowledges the diverse and fragmented nature of modern content consumption.
- Address Regulatory Demands: Innovations in areas like age verification demonstrate YouTube’s responsiveness to external pressures and its commitment to a safer online environment.
While some experimental changes may initially be met with resistance as users adjust to new layouts and functionalities, YouTube’s iterative approach ensures that feedback is considered and refinements are made. The ongoing evolution of its display features underscores the platform’s dedication to maintaining its dominant position by continually optimizing the visual and interactive elements that define the YouTube experience for billions of users worldwide.
