Google is apparently testing a new design for its YouTube video streaming platform on desktop web that takes up a key element of the latest evolution of Material Design, better known as Material You: rounded corners in the video player. The sightings have multiplied in recent days, and the company’s spokespeople have confirmed that the change will be gradually distributed to all users in a stable form. For what it’s worth, we haven’t received it yet.
YouTube already uses rounded corners for a whole host of graphics – thumbnails for suggested videos on the side, for example, the main video description field, and even the miniplayer when you activate PiP (Picture-in-Picture) mode. The company confirms that rounded corners will not be shown in Theater Mode, let alone in full-screen mode – after all, both aim to maximize the space dedicated to video content.
The new graphics aren’t exactly wowing everyone, especially since parts of the original video are actually being hidden. It is true that these are very few pixels at the corners of the video, but in some cases it could mean that logos or other overlay elements could be, even slightly, cut.
Meanwhile, YouTube is testing another controversial interface change: a smaller “Skip Ad” button, which then becomes harder to notice and click/press. It is easy to imagine that this will lead to a lower percentage of pressure, and consequently to an increase in the platform’s revenue (and hopefully, for fairness, also to content creators). In this case, however, it is only testing, as Google spokespeople confirmed to Search Engine Land. Such tests are ongoing on all platforms, and… Well, let’s put it this way: let’s hope they don’t have a positive outcome!
