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Can YouTube’s New UI Fix Frustration or Will It Keep Disrupting Your Viewing?
Watching YouTube should be simple. Lately, people see a new “100%” bubble at the top when they watch videos. This bubble is making lots of viewers feel unhappy.
What Is the 100% Indicator?
- The “100%” sign shows up when you zoom in or out on a video.
- If you pinch or stretch the screen, the bubble changes to match your zoom level.
- If you just leave the video as it is, the bubble says “100%.”
- Once you change the zoom, the number updates (for example, 125% or 90%).
- The bubble stays for about 10 seconds every time you make a change.
Why Are People Unhappy?
- Users say the bubble does not help much, but instead gets in the way.
- It covers part of the video, taking away from the experience.
- Many people never zoom, so the indicator feels pointless to them.
- It sometimes hides with a delay or appears with other things like volume bars. This can cover the top of the screen for too long.
- Some describe it as “clutter,” saying it adds another extra thing nobody asked for.
Issues and Complaints
- There are reports that the indicator sometimes refuses to fade, or shows up even with no zooming.
- On many phones and tablets, users can’t turn the bubble off.
- Extra problems appear: the bubble might stack with other pop-ups such as volume, so multiple things can block your view.
- Even some Premium users (who pay monthly) want it gone, stating it ruins their ad-free experience.
What’s Happening on Desktop?
- YouTube is also testing a new video player style on computers.
- Old buttons like play, pause, and the timer now float on tiny bubbles rather than sitting in a line.
- Volume controls and other buttons have moved around the player. People say it looks cleaner, but many call it distracting or difficult to use.
- Some think the design is stylish and modern. Others believe it slows them down, especially since classic controls are now split or hidden.
Mobile: Even More Changes
- Mobile users are seeing confusing homepage and search changes, too.
- Now, video titles and overlays appear on top of thumbnails, making them hard to read.
- Ads are harder to spot because they look similar to videos.
- Some viewers accuse YouTube of caring more about money from ads than clear, good viewing.
Common User Sentiments
- People describe the changes as “horrific,” “messy,” and “unhelpful”.
- One common comment: “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” Many want the old YouTube design back.
- Users say new features like the 100% bubble fix nothing and break a smooth, simple experience.
- A few users with the new update even question if their device is broken.
Tips and Short Fixes
- Some suggest trying to zoom in, then zoom out. Sometimes, this makes the 100% bubble disappear faster.
- Restarting the app may help, but doesn’t always solve it.
- There is currently no permanent way to turn off the bubble through settings.
The 100% indicator was meant to help show zoom level, but people are seeing it as useless and distracting. YouTube’s updates, both on desktop and mobile, are creating headaches by changing familiar layouts and adding confusing features. The main thing viewers want is a simple way to watch videos with nothing in the way.