This morning, we received a tip pointing out some serious user interface redesigns on YouTube. Don’t rush off to take a peek just yet, though — the changes haven’t been rolled out to everyone. Google’s been known to test redesigns with small subsets of users, so it’s expected that only a few folks will be seeing the makeover.
Besides the generally updated look, one of the more important changes here is the focus this redesign will put on shared content from Google+. This move should take Google one step closer towards extending the social platform more heavily into each of its products.
Also, an emphasis on user subscriptions is a good way to keep people coming back to specific channels. Given YouTube’s investment in original content, this could be a better way to keep users watching while retaining viewer loyalty.
Assuming the new look tests well among those with access, it’s likely you will soon be seeing the following changes.
YouTube Redesign Highlights:
Deeper Google+ integration shows off YouTube content your Circles have shared to Google+, letting you surf user-recommended videos from people you might actually care about.- New left-column dashboard sorts your Subscriptions and more into easily-clickable sections, including featured videos and recommended content categories.
- Homepage content will be displayed in a single column, putting a focus on larger preview images for videos.
- A slight color scheme tweak (new gray background) highlights content.
- The “fullscreen” button in actual YouTube videos will receive a more user-friendly update, giving viewers the option to shrink, expand or, yes, fullscreen the video.
- Recommended video content pops out when clicked, allowing you to easily exit to where you last were before clicking after viewing.
- Clicking the YouTube logo on the top left of the site will lead to http://www.youtube.com/guide.
- YouTube’s favicon will also be switched out for an updated version.
These are the most apparent changes, though it’s possible we may have missed some key elements. We’ve dropped a line to Google and will let you know anything that we find.
As for actual visuals, all the descriptive text in the world won’t give you the same impression that real screenshots will. Take a peek at the following images and get your YouTube facelift fix.
Want more? Check out this post on how to share posts from Google Reader directly to Google+.
http://www.gmailfree.com
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LikeThat's fine, but my question is: after I have watched a video from my subscritions, how do I get it off my homepage? There used to be a little "x" so you could get it off but I dont see that anymore!!!! What gives?
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LikeThis update sucks.
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LikeGoogle is definately getting more social and really pushing Google+! It will be interesting to see the impact this has on social video.
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LikeLooks quite nice, like it will make it a lot easier to find new video artists and new videos. Have to wait to try it to be sure of course.The new grey background will make my newly re-designed channel look extra stark though. Perhaps I should rethink putting in a colour scheme ;)(on the off chance anyone is interested, here's a link http://www.youtube.com/rorkimaru)
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LikeWow, this website did a number on my surname! Why does every web designer hate the Irish, it's just an apostrophe...
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LikeI created a video last night demoing it if you want to see it go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdqnnH4N47U
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LikeI like the gray background. Makes the video content pop out. Can't wait to have the new design!
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LikeCheck it out then!
youtube.com/testtube
youtube.com/cosmicpanda
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LikeHow about they focus on getting customer service back on youtube! If you have an issue, your screwed, like my channel with over 1 million views, I have a serious issue that needs to be fixed, but since there is not customer service....well, you understand :0(
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LikeThe gray background doesn't look good at all.
They should be focusing their efforts on a more usable layout, than the actual colors of the design >.<
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LikeYoutube has already switched me to this and I have to say its awful. The homepage is terrible. You can hardly find when one of your subscriptions has uploaded because its filled with posts about who your subscriptions have subbed to and vids they have favorited and liked. It clutters the homepage and you can't even delete them. So you have to scroll though about 15 posts just to find an upload. Its very annoying and frustrating. Please switch it back!!
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LikeDude... you can swith the viewing in your settings..So only your subscriptions uploads are visible..
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LikeReally? Where can you set that? I certainly can't find a setting that makes the home page stop displaying all the things that my subscriptions have favorited or subscribed to.
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Likejimmi der Um..do you have the new layout? No you can't. That option is completely gone. But if you found some way to do so please inform me.
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LikeThe gray background looks pretty awful on the video pages... I'd much prefer an all black TV-like version of YouTube
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LikeWell the FAVICON has been changed since last week, at least for me...
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LikeYouTube's UI redesign is in line with Google TV, and it makes perfect sense. Cleaner layout, structured content, colored navigation and larger video previews all make sense. Plus it looks gorgeous.
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Likenot too early :)
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LikeAnd...the 500 nimble fingered code monkeys who thought this up, will be aghast, when :
1.It causes confusion
2.alienates users
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LikeBlargal just like facebook does every year, not that stops people from somehow going right back, this is going to be massive for google+ because there is only one video sharing site and that is youtube, now everytime someone shares a youtube video on facebook it will be directing them to google+
The only hope for facebook now is to ban youtube videos from the site which would cause a massive uproar, its a no win situation for zuckerberg.
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Likethis is gonna be a killer integration, google+ links will be scattered all over facebook and twitter, the amount of traffic that will come from these social media sites is gonna be insane, will be interesting to see if facebook bans youtube videos or not! lol
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LikeIf you are using Google Chrome Beta, you're having this new UI since last release.
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LikeNot for me?
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LikeConversation from Twitter
Lime12101 It's Automatic, YouTube Releases it slowly. Meh, I can wait tell it arrives.
TheHowck No xD I got it http:\/\/t.co\/lQim4Gm7
Lime12101 meh, I don't have it yet xP
wtwh_socialguru Thanks for the RT.
jaybaer Interesting:) Thanks for sharing!
jaybaer I like how you say "encourage." :)
jaybaer Or encourage us to hop off.
buumoon แอร๊ย แรงงงงงงงงส์อ่ะ!!! เท่ห์ที่สุด!!
kejuliso เนอะะ 555 thenextweb ว่าประทับใจแล้ว เจอ CNN นี่กรี๊ดลืมโลกเลย กิ๊ซ \(\/\/∇\/\/)\
buumoon เกร๋มาก
fujo have you seen that blog of concept designs for Facebook\/YouTube etc dude? Some are really cool
Japhex send me the link :)
TribalIM Goede zet van Google . Iedereen vraagt er al om, dus ik denk dat ze hiermee een hoop mensen blij maken. http:\/\/t.co\/pQtrCIX4
Conversation from Facebook
What happened to 'Cosmic Panda'? It was there, it went, I signed up again, it went again. I prefer the quick launch extension on my browser bar to the floating icon on the right of my screen on Google+.
Yes i like it
yeah. i like it. (my opinion http://www.eknowwaytions.com/usability/the-new-youtube/) - looks way more organized & feels cooler now. good change!
Few days ago, the "new look" was available to me, then it wasn't available again. I was actually happy with the new look then. So, I think I'm going to like it! :)