UX changes with YouTube’s May app update have met with a frosty reception from reviewers on the Play Store. They want more swiping and intuitive back-button control.

Official line

The official ‘What’s New’ for YouTube’s 25 May Android app update mention two improvements:

• A new ‘Activity’ tab to see and control notifications
• The ability to remove videos from playlists with a swipe gesture.

But, YouTube giveth swipes and YouTube taketh swipes away.

Observed differences and push back

Android Police noted a new form of collapsible video playback that lets users minimise a currently streaming video to a floating bottom bar. They specifically mention ‘the option to close without having to swipe.’

Some people, though, quite liked swiping.

Mad Vlad and Cody

The second most popular review on Google’s own Play Store is a one-star rating from user Cody Camarillo. Amid curses, Cody asks ‘Why do I gotta press the x to close a minimised video? All I had to do was swipe left or right but nooo. You had to screw it up.’

The top trending review goes to Olaeru Vladut who bemoans how ‘the back button doesn't land you on the previous video’ as ‘just moronic!’

Have we come to expect too much from Google-guided UX, or did they actually drop the ball? Is this all this just a storm in a tweaky update?

Copy Transmission is a Melbourne-based agency :: Better Brands. Loud & Clear.