YouTube is once again dabbling in redesign territory, unveiling a new look that has sparked some debate. This layout may feel familiar as the platform tested it earlier this year, receiving mixed reviews from users.
The revamped interface shifts the video title, description, and comments to a sidebar, allowing for larger video recommendations directly below the playing video. While this layout was not well-received during its initial trial run, YouTube has brought it back for a second round of testing.
The reasons behind this reemergence remain unclear. It could be that YouTube is gathering more data and feedback to guide future decisions. The company often labels these changes as experiments that typically last a few weeks, but it’s uncertain if this specific redesign falls within that timeframe.
Some users actually preferred this layout as it enabled them to browse comments while watching the video simultaneously. However, it may not suit those who prefer to watch a video in full before delving into the comments section. YouTube sometimes offers optional tests like this through its “Experiments,” but there’s currently no such feature available.
Whether this new interface will become standard on YouTube is still up in the air. This second round of testing shows that YouTube is committed to enhancing user experience by exploring different design options, even if they initially missed the mark with most users.
