YouTube announced several updates to its Shorts platform in a blog post on Thursday, June 25, 2026. The updates include a new "clear screen" mode, the replacement of the "thumbs-up" button with a heart icon, the removal of the dislike button, and the introduction of a 2x playback speed option.

The "clear screen" mode functions by removing icons and text from the video playback view. For content interaction, the traditional thumbs-up button on Shorts will be replaced by a heart icon. The platform is also removing the dislike button from Shorts. YouTube encourages users to utilize the "Not interested" and "Don't recommend this channel" options within the three-dots menu to provide feedback on content.

The new 2x playback speed feature allows users to speed up a Short by holding down the edge of the screen. Releasing their finger will return the video to normal speed. Users can also lock the playback speed at 2x by pressing the player and then swiping down. Additionally, users can now mute a Short by tapping the video and selecting the "mute" button.

YouTube stated that the updates are intended to create "a more intuitive Shorts experience." Regarding the 2x speed feature, YouTube said its purpose is to let users "absorb information more quickly or find your favorite part faster." The platform announced that these features would be rolling out to users over time, but did not specify exact dates for their availability.

YouTube launched Shorts in 2024. As of June 2025, Shorts averaged 200 billion daily views, according to CEO Neal Mohan, who spoke at a keynote in Cannes last year. A report from earlier in 2026 indicated that 2 billion hours of Shorts content were being consumed monthly on television screens.