YouTube Shorts Update Borrows Three Big TikTok Features
Quick Reads
- YouTube replaced the thumbs-up button on Shorts with a heart icon.
- A new “clear screen” mode hides all UI elements for distraction-free viewing.
- Users can now speed up Shorts to 2x by pressing and holding the screen edge.
- The updates mirror features already popular on TikTok and Instagram Reels.
- YouTube Shorts currently generates over 70 billion daily views globally.
YouTube Shorts update brings the platform closer to TikTok than ever before. Google’s short-form video feature rolled out three interface changes this week. Together, they signal YouTube’s continued push to close the gap with its biggest rival.
First, YouTube is swapping the classic thumbs-up for a heart icon on all Shorts content. The heart mechanic is the same engagement model TikTok and Instagram Reels already use. YouTube confirmed the change through its official support post, bringing Shorts in line with what users expect from competing apps.
Additionally, YouTube introduced a “clear screen” mode that removes all on-screen icons and text when activated. Viewers can toggle it on or off with a simple tap. This lets users focus entirely on the video itself, without any visual distractions pulling attention away.
Furthermore, YouTube added variable playback speed to Shorts. Users can press and hold the edge of the screen to push a video to 2x speed. Lifting a finger returns playback to normal, while swiping down while holding locks it at double speed.
Notably, this playback control does not exist on TikTok. However, the heart and clear screen features are both direct lifts from TikTok’s interface playbook. The Verge reported the full scope of the update as part of YouTube’s broader effort to win over creators and viewers.
The timing matters. Shorts recently crossed 70 billion daily views, but TikTok still leads on engagement metrics and creator loyalty. YouTube’s advantage remains its established monetization infrastructure through the YouTube Partner Program. Still, interface parity does not guarantee audience migration on its own.
