YouTube tests automatic Shorts entry, users report frustration
Video platform YouTube is testing a more aggressive method to promote its Shorts feature, with the app reportedly launching directly into the short-form video feed without warning, drawing criticism from users.
Video platform YouTube is reportedly testing a new feature that automatically launches the app into its Shorts section for short-form videos. This change has caused dissatisfaction among several users who find the automatic transition disruptive.
According to user reports on platforms like Reddit, YouTube may open directly into the Shorts feed even when the app was last closed on a different tab. Some users who do not watch vertical videos at all have also encountered this automatic switch.
YouTube has previously attempted to increase Shorts' visibility by dedicating prominent space on its homepage and interspersing Shorts recommendations below longer videos. However, the new automatic launch into Shorts is being perceived as a more aggressive approach.
Currently, YouTube has not provided an official explanation for the tested functionality or offered a direct solution. The only workaround reported by users to avoid the Shorts transition is to set the daily usage time limit to zero, which removes Shorts from recommendations. However, this may interfere with the intended browsing experience.