YouTube rolls out minimized comments

The changes on YouTube are focused on getting you to watch and engage with more content. YouTube for Android and iOS now has a new video page that elevates, but shrinks comments and introduces large video thumbnails.

Comments are now underneath the channel bar with subscribe button/notification options. It also features a count and the top comment, with a tap anywhere showing the full list.

According to YouTube, its early experiments found that “more people are writing comments with the new design.” It is easier to access and there’s a benefit to only showing the best one.

The next change sees Google switch to nearly full-width thumbnails for the “Up next” feed. Video details appear below, instead of to the right, and includes a channel’s avatar icon.