In its latest experiment, YouTube has started showing longer-form videos in the Shorts feed. The Alphabet-owned video-sharing platform is experimenting with long-form video recommendations in the Shorts feed of select users. The company’s latest experiment aims to boost the visibility of longer-form videos by inserting them in more places across the platform. YouTube’s latest feature kind of defeats the entire purpose of the Shorts feed.
Some YouTube users may start seeing longer-form videos in the Shorts feed
According to YouTube’s support document, the platform is testing a few new content discovery experiences. In the latest experiment, the company will start showing long-form videos in other places across the platform. If you are a part of the experiment, you will see a mix of video formats including long-form videos where you’d usually see Shorts.
YouTube will also start showing long-format videos in the news feeds for the same. The document now clearly states that long-form videos may begin showing in the YouTube Shorts feed as a way to boost discoverability. While the new change may boost the visibility of long-form videos, it defeats the entire purpose of the Shorts feed. It may downgrade viewers’ experience, particularly in the Shorts feed where they usually discover small, minute-long videos.
YouTube is currently experimenting with the new feature with a select group of users only. The updated experimental document reassures creators that they will still be able to monetize their content. It is just an additional way for people to discover their content and it will not affect their site-wide metrics.
The company will be closely monitoring feedback from the creators and viewers on the new feature. There’s a possibility that Google may kill this feature as it downgrades the viewer’s experience with the Shorts feed.
YouTube is also testing a Picture-in-Picture mode for mid-rolls
YouTube is also testing a new less-annoying Picture-in-Picture mode for advertisements (mid-rolls). The new feature allows creators to insert PiP ads in their live streams without significantly disrupting the viewing experience. In addition, the company is also testing a new sleep timer feature for its premium subscribers. The new features are expected to be rolled out to the public in the coming weeks.
2024-08-14 15:07:40