YouTube is planning ‘over two dozen’ improvements for its smartphone and web apps

YouTube has consistently been in the news for introducing both design and functional changes to its smartphone as well as desktop apps. Over the last few months, the platform has gone from announcing new AI tools to making UI developments to help better user experience.

However, it seems as though the video-streaming company has more in store for its loyal fans, as it recently went on to promise over two dozen improvements to its app. Here are five of the most significant ones.

5 new features coming to YouTube

According to a blog post published by YouTube, it is all set to roll out multiple new features for creators, users and viewers alike. However, we’re listing out the five most significant changes that you should keep an eye out for.

YouTube badges

YouTube users and creators will now be able to display badges they have earned based on their activity. For instance, you can achieve a YouTube milestone if you’re a part of one of the first sets of paid members on a creator’s channel or for solving a quiz right.

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Users can also earn a badge if a creator likes their comment on their video. YouTube additionally mentioned how the badge will be displayed in the ‘You’ tab and will be rolling out to users starting in a few short weeks.

An improved YouTube TV experience

YouTube has been reportedly making several design changes to its web and smartphone apps. This time around, it has introduced visual changes to its content with a reimagined UI.

In its blog post, YouTube mentioned how users can look out for vibrant use of colours and smoother engagement without disrupting their viewing experience. It is also launching immersive channel pages, which give visitors a teaser of the creator’s content before diving into a channel.

Build, share and vote for your favourite playlists

YouTube has also introduced its version of collaborative playlists and will now let friends and family contribute to your creation. The playlists, which can be shared using a QR code, will feature a custom thumbnail that users can generate using AI help. To generate a customised thumbnail with AI, users will have to tap on ‘Create with AI’, pick a theme, and choose from their AI-based creations.

Set a bedtime with a sleep timer

If you’ve ever dozed off to a YouTube video playing in the background, the new update will allow you to set a sleep timer. Like other streaming platforms such as Spotify, users will automatically be able to pause anything playing without intervention by setting a sleep timer ranging from 15 minutes to an hour.

Improved mini player for smartphones

Lastly, YouTube is bringing in an improved mini-player, which can be moved and resized for times you want to stream as well as search on your smartphone app.

While most of these updates will gradually begin rolling out for users across the next few weeks, YouTube has also mentioned how over two dozen other changes are in the pipeline for users and creators alike. That said, it hasn’t mentioned a tentative timeline, and it looks like we might have to wait before we hear from them.