YouTube is experimenting with a new gesture for navigating between videos, taking inspiration from the popular swipe-up action commonly found in TikTok and other short-form video platforms. This test, currently observed on Android phones, introduces a swipe-up gesture within the full-screen video player to transition to the next video.
Traditionally, swiping up on a full-screen YouTube video on Android exits full-screen mode. However, this new test repurposes the gesture to initiate a seamless transition to a new video, similar to the navigation style popularized by TikTok.
This change represents a significant shift in YouTube’s navigation paradigm, potentially streamlining the viewing experience for those accustomed to the swipe-up gesture. While the test is currently limited to Android devices, it could potentially expand to other platforms if user feedback is positive.
It’s important to note that this feature is still in its testing phase, and there’s no guarantee it will be rolled out globally. User feedback will likely play a crucial role in determining whether YouTube adopts this new navigation style. Some users have expressed concerns about the potential disruption to established habits, as changing a familiar gesture’s function can initially be jarring.
As YouTube continues to evolve and adapt to user preferences, it remains to be seen how this new swipe-up gesture will be received and whether it will become a permanent fixture in the platform’s navigation system.
