YouTube Shorts Adds Double-Speed Playback and Removes Dislike Button

YouTube has introduced several updates to its Shorts feature, including a new option that allows users to play videos at twice the normal speed.

The platform, owned by Google, announced on Thursday that this playback speed setting aims to help users process content faster or quickly locate their preferred segments within short videos.

In addition to speed adjustments, YouTube has removed the dislike button from Shorts. Users can now express disinterest through “Not Interested” and “Don’t recommend this channel” options instead.

To replace the traditional like button, a heart emoji has been added, offering a new way for viewers to show appreciation for Shorts content.

YouTube is also rolling out a “Clear Screen mode,” which temporarily hides all icons and text during playback, providing an unobstructed view of videos.

The company described these updates as steps toward creating “a more intuitive Shorts experience.” However, no specific timeline was provided for when these features will be fully implemented, only that they will be introduced gradually.

YouTube launched Shorts in 2024, entering the short-form video market years after TikTok and Instagram Reels. Despite the late start, the feature has gained substantial traction.

As of June 2025, YouTube Shorts was receiving an average of 200 billion daily views, according to CEO Neal Mohan’s keynote speech at Cannes. It should be noted that YouTube counts a “view” from the moment a video is opened.

Earlier this year, data indicated that Shorts consumption on television screens was rising, with viewers watching up to 2 billion hours of Shorts content monthly on TV devices.