# YouTube’s New Gesture Modification: An Unwanted Update
In a surprising development that has generated discontent among its users, YouTube is said to be experimenting with a new gesture control feature in its mobile app, which changes how users navigate full-screen videos. This adjustment, currently available to a select group of users, has led to confusion and questions regarding the necessity of such a modification.
## Key Details
– **YouTube is trialing a new gesture modification on mobile platforms** that changes user interactions with full-screen videos.
– **Now, swiping up or down in full-screen mode scrolls through suggested long-form content**, rather than exiting the video or activating Picture-in-Picture (PIP) mode.
– **The trial is restricted** to a small set of users, yet the responses have largely been negative.
– **This alteration appears to fit into YouTube’s larger strategy** to maintain viewer engagement with content, akin to its AI-driven “jump ahead” feature launched earlier this year.
## The Shift: From Fluid to Irritating
Historically, YouTube’s mobile application permitted users to swipe down on a full-screen video to revert to portrait mode, facilitating access to comments or related videos. A swipe up would either display a row of suggested videos or trigger PIP mode, letting users watch while browsing other applications. This intuitive approach had become second nature to many, resulting in a smooth and effective viewing experience.
Nevertheless, the ongoing test modifies this interaction. Presently, swiping up or down in full-screen mode doesn’t exit the video or invoke PIP mode. Instead, users are taken through suggested long-form content, resembling the mechanics of YouTube Shorts or TikTok. This alteration has led to user frustration, as it disrupts their ingrained “muscle memory” with the app.
### User Feedback: Discontent and Confusion
The response to this adjustment has been immediate and largely unfavorable. According to **Tushar Mehta on X (formerly Twitter)**, individuals involved in the testing have voiced their discontent with the new gesture configuration. Many find it upsetting that a simple swipe now directs them to another video instead of exiting full-screen mode as it used to.
One user demonstrated the new function through a video, illustrating how swiping up on a video now directs them to the subsequent recommended video. This change feels especially disconcerting for long-form content, as it imitates the mechanics of YouTube Shorts—a feature intended for quick, snackable videos rather than prolonged viewing experiences.
### Exit Options Still Available
Despite frustrations with the new gesture mechanics, YouTube has not fully removed the capability to exit full-screen mode. Users can still manually back out by tapping the full-screen icon located at the bottom-right corner of the screen or by pressing the down arrow at the top left to access PIP mode. However, these manual methods seem like a regression in user experience, requiring more effort than the previous swipe options.
## Purpose Behind the Change
The rationale for this modification appears to align with YouTube’s broader objective of maintaining viewer engagement for longer durations. By prompting users to scroll through suggested videos, the platform likely aims to enhance watch time and keep users within the app. This mirrors YouTube’s **”jump ahead” feature**, an AI-driven tool that was introduced earlier this year, allowing viewers to skip directly to the most captivating portions of a video, saving time and retaining their attention.
The newly implemented scroll gestures could potentially complement the “jump ahead” feature, offering a more cohesive viewing experience for those wishing to breeze through content. However, this strategy seems to favor YouTube’s interests over user comfort, leading to discontent among those who favored the previous system.
## Will This Change Become Permanent?
Currently, it remains uncertain whether this new gesture system will be extended to all users or if it will stay a limited trial. There has been no mention of this change in any official YouTube changelogs, nor has there been a formal statement from the company regarding its future intentions for the feature.
Nonetheless, user feedback could play a crucial role in deciding whether this modification becomes a permanent fixture. Given the predominantly negative reactions thus far, it’s plausible that YouTube may rethink the update or provide users with an option to switch back to the prior gesture system.
## Conclusion: An Unwanted Change
In the realm of app development, not every modification is met with approval, and YouTube’s latest gesture alteration stands as a prominent instance. While the platform may be aiming to boost user engagement and watch time, the new scroll gestures have disrupted the seamless experience that users have come to anticipate.
For the time being, the update remains in a limited testing mode, but the user backlash implies that YouTube may need to reevaluate its approach.
