YouTube is introducing a range of new updates to Shorts, including a feature that lets users make short-form videos feel even shorter by watching them at twice the normal playback speed.
The Google-owned platform announced that Shorts users can now enable 2x playback, allowing them to consume content more quickly or jump to their favorite moments with less waiting.
As part of the update, YouTube is also removing the dislike button from Shorts. Instead of disliking videos, users can now use the “Not Interested” and “Don’t Recommend This Channel” options to improve future recommendations and reduce unwanted content in their feeds.
The platform is also changing how users react to videos they enjoy. Rather than the traditional thumbs-up icon, Shorts will now feature a heart emoji for expressing appreciation.
Another addition is the new Clear Screen Mode, which temporarily hides all interface elements, including buttons, icons, and text, providing a cleaner and less distracting viewing experience while watching Shorts.
According to YouTube, these updates are designed to create a more intuitive and streamlined Shorts experience. The company said the new features will roll out to users over the coming weeks.
Since launching Shorts in 2020, YouTube has rapidly expanded its short-form video platform. By June 2025, YouTube Shorts was averaging around 200 billion daily views, according to CEO Neal Mohan, although YouTube counts a view from the moment a video begins playing.
The platform’s reach has also grown beyond smartphones. A report released earlier this year found that Shorts are increasingly being watched on television screens, with viewers consuming as much as 2 billion hours of Shorts content each month.
