YouTube is testing a feature that will spark strong opinions, with users either loving or hating it. As the world’s largest video platform, boasting over 2.5 billion monthly users, YouTube continuously experiments with new features, particularly for its Premium subscribers.
One of the latest changes in testing is a redesigned comment section, which aims to bring more order to user replies.
Earlier this year, YouTube introduced a threaded comment UI to a small test group of Android and iOS users. Now, the test is being expanded, but it’s only available to Premium subscribers. This new layout groups replies directly under the original comment, and replies to those replies are nested even further, similar to Reddit’s threading system.
For those involved in the test, conversations will now be displayed in a much more organized way. The structure clearly shows which replies correspond to which comments, eliminating the usual confusion and helping users follow conversations more easily
. However, as with any major change, there will undoubtedly be those who aren’t thrilled with this update.
It’s important to note that this feature is still in the experimental phase. YouTube has stated that it will remain available until August 14 unless user feedback pushes for a more permanent release. So, if you’re a YouTube Premium user, now is your chance to voice your opinion on whether the new system improves the experience or just adds unnecessary clutter.
From my own experience, the new layout does help to make conversations clearer. There’s no longer any guesswork about which reply goes with which comment, reducing confusion and potential arguments in the comment section. To view the threaded replies, simply tap the ‘X replies’ button under any comment to open the new ‘Replies’ panel.
In addition to this, YouTube has been rolling out other new features for both free and Premium users. These include an AI-powered search results carousel for Premium users, and a conversational AI tool that’s available to all users. The AI tool can suggest videos or answer questions in real-time without interrupting the video you’re currently watching.