Overview

The 2024 YouTube UI Update, also known as 2024 YouTube Layout Change or 2024 YouTube UI Redesign, refers to a new user interface design rolled out by YouTube in late February 2024, which shifted the channel name, video details and comments to the upper right corner, removed the smallest player size option and then changed the display of recommended videos for desktop users. Following the redesign of the desktop version of YouTube, numerous users complained about the new UI, citing a drastically different look, numerous ads and YouTube recommendations taking up most of the screen. The controversial changes to the video-hosting site also inspired memes amid the backlash, largely mocking YouTube for what many perceived as a needless update. After disappearing for some users in March 2024, reports of the new YouTube layout reappearing in mid-April spread.

Background

On February 21st, 2024, the YouTube UI update began to appear for desktop users. The redesign seemed to include increased embedded ad placements, a tall, small-font comment section on the right side of the page and search results and recommendations that take up much of the page, even while videos are playing. There was no advance notice regarding the update from the YouTube team.

On Twitter / X, the first known viral response to the update appeared on February 21st, just before midnight, implying the redesign began to roll out just before February 22nd. X^[5] user @Nightwing2xx was among the first to point it out, and the comments beneath the post rumored that it was an update affecting only YouTube Premium subscribers (although other regular users reported the change shortly after). The post (seen below) earned over 30 likes and four reposts in three days.

Though it seemed only a handful of users were affected by the UI update on the first day, complaints started to spread online as soon as it began to roll out to additional YouTubers. One notable February 22nd post was made on the /r/youtube subreddit, where Redditor^[4] /u/aldemo11 shared a screenshot of the new user interface under the title "New Youtube UI? Or just me?" (seen below). The post received 650 upvotes and 273 comments in under two days with many Redditors commenting negatively about the redesign in the comment section.

Online Reactions

Many who were affected by the redesign in late February 2024 posted on social media pointing out the site’s new look, typically expressing frustration or annoyance. For instance, one of the earliest responses to the update was posed by user @ErensSmiledog on Twitter / X^[1] on February 22nd, reading, "Dude what the fuck is this new UI for youtube." The post earned over 60 likes and eight comments in a day (seen below, left).

A similar sentiment was shared by user @AmiTheRobot in an X^[2] post from the same day, receiving over 40 likes and six comments in a day (seen below, right).

By the following day, numerous other users had noticed the change and took to social media to voice their unfavorable opinions on the new user interface. One notable example was posted on February 23rd, 2024, by X^[3] user @Oceaniz96, describing the update as "almost impressively bad." It received over 460 likes and 60 reposts in under a day (seen below).

Developments

As of February 24th, 2024, it seems not all users are affected by the UI update. YouTube has yet to comment on or reverse the contentious new layout.

Search Interest

External References