YouTube testing a TikTok-like swipe-up gesture to get to the next video
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Recently YouTube redesigned its playback speed controls and added a couple of nice features to its app. It’s been testing different things in recent months, and some tests sound pretty exciting while others have people raising their eyebrows. In YouTube’s latest test, we have a new gesture being tested for longer videos.
TikTok’s “Swipe up” gesture moves you to a new video. Since the gesture got popularized by TikTok, it was copied into YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels, among other short-video sharing solutions. Now, YouTube is testing the gesture for regular-length videos, not Shorts.
Right now, when you’re enjoying a video on YouTube on full screen (landscape orientation), the swipe-up gesture is used to exit full screen, rather conveniently. Digital Trends contributor Tushar Mehta spotted the test. The tested fullscreen video player swipe-up gesture leads to a new video being played.
The change has been spotted only on Android phones at the moment. You can also swipe from either side on Android phones to leave fullscreen mode, and you can also do that from the arrow button in the top left corner.
At the moment, it’s not clear when this change will roll out globally. Given the fact this is still in its testing phase, user feedback may play a role in whether or not this update gets released at all. Some people have mixed feelings about it, which I agree with simply because when you are already used to what a gesture does in an app, changing that would be rather annoying.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific device type has been observed testing this new swipe-up gesture?
Which specific device type has been observed testing this new swipe-up gesture?
The new swipe-up gesture for longer videos has only been spotted on Android phones. It is currently unclear if or when this change might be rolled out to other devices globally.
Q.How does the existing swipe-up gesture function when viewing a video in full screen?
How does the existing swipe-up gesture function when viewing a video in full screen?
Currently, when a user watches a YouTube video in full screen, swiping up is a convenient way to exit full-screen mode. This behaviour is set to change with the new test.
Q.What is YouTube's apparent reasoning for testing a swipe-up gesture for horizontal videos?
What is YouTube's apparent reasoning for testing a swipe-up gesture for horizontal videos?
YouTube seems to believe that the swipe-up gesture, which is typically suitable for vertical videos, may also be useful for horizontal videos. This represents a significant departure from its current primary use.