In a recent move to upgrade user experience, YouTube- the world’s second-largest search engine, is experimenting with a feature that could change how viewers interact with YT videos. It has introduced a button to hide end screens; a common viewer frustration. Let’s dive further into its details.
What is YouTube Hide End screens feature?
End screens are promotional overlays that appear at the end of the YT video in its final few seconds. With end screens, viewers are directed to other content videos or products. Now, as YouTube introduces the hide end screens feature, a selective group of viewers can use the hide button to temporarily remove end screens.
This new feature is currently under trial for both desktop platforms and mobile apps. It adds a small hide button in the top right corner when end screens emerge. Additionally, a ‘Show’ button displays, allowing them to reappear when tapped. Viewers can dismiss the end screens on a video-by-video basis and not add them in the default settings. This move enhances the video-viewing experience by removing unnecessary distractions.
Although not a permanent long-term solution, it does provide viewers with a certain degree of control to reduce interacting with end screens directly. It gives them the flexibility to either engage with the suggested content or opt-out and enjoy a smoother experience. If viewers welcome the ‘hide end screens’ feature, it can dramatically impact both viewers and creators, changing how post video recommendation activity happens on the platform. For creators, it will encourage their viewers to interact with their videos more deeply without any external distractions, thus helping them to grow their subscriber base. Alternatively, they can buy YouTube subscribers to expand their reach easily if the platform introduces this feature on a larger scale.
The newest feature, after the addition of YouTube dream screen VEO, indicates YouTube’s consistent effort to recognize viewer preferences. Although its use among the massive YouTube audience is yet to be seen in its pilot testing, YouTube is confident in stating that the hide end screens feature is disruptive. But will viewers recognize the need to activate it for each video?
Conclusion
If you are looking for an uninterrupted video viewing experience on YouTube, the ‘hide end screens’ feature might turn out to be a game changer. While still in its early stages of testing, its success depends on viewer feedback and acceptance among the audience. YouTube will analyze the feedback based on its performance among the initial few beta users before deciding on its implementation for a broader audience. If you happen to be one of the beta viewers, explore the feature and see how it enhances your viewing experience. Addtionally, as a YouTube content creator, see how YouTube ads are changing with the YouTube mid-roll ad update.