Verified source report
YouTube updates Shorts to make it even more like TikTok
YouTube is adding even more TikTok-like features to Shorts, including a new "clear screen" mode that removes the icons and text from the video you're watching. In a blog post on Thursday, YouTube says it's also replacing the "thumbs-up" button with a "heart" icon, and is introducing a new option that lets you watch Shorts […] YouTube is adding even more TikTok-like features to Shorts, including a new "clear screen" mode that removes the icons and text from the video you're watching. In a blog post on Thursday , YouTube says it's also replacing the "thumbs-up" button with a "heart" icon, and is introducing a new option that lets you watch Shorts at 2x speed. As noted by YouTube, you can speed up a video by holding down the edge of your screen and lifting your finger when you want it to return to normal speed. You can lock the speed at 2x by pressing the player and swiping down. Anot
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YouTube is adding even more TikTok-like features to Shorts, including a new "clear screen" mode that removes the icons and text from the video you're watching. In a blog post on Thursday, YouTube says it's also replacing the "thumbs-up" button with a "heart" icon, and is introducing a new option that lets you watch Shorts […] YouTube is adding even more TikTok-like features to Shorts, including a new "clear screen" mode that removes the icons and text from the video you're watching. In a blog post on Thursday , YouTube says it's also replacing the "thumbs-up" button with a "heart" icon, and is introducing a new option that lets you watch Shorts at 2x speed. As noted by YouTube, you can speed up a video by holding down the edge of your screen and lifting your finger when you want it to return to normal speed. You can lock the speed at 2x by pressing the player and swiping down. Anot
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What happened
According to The Verge’s source item, YouTube updates Shorts to make it even more like TikTok, YouTube is adding even more TikTok-like features to Shorts, including a new “clear screen” mode that removes the icons and text from the video you’re watching. In a blog post on Thursday, YouTube says it’s also replacing the “thumbs-up” button with a “heart” icon, and is introducing a new option that lets you watch Shorts […] YouTube is adding even more TikTok-like features to Shorts, including a new “clear screen” mode that removes the icons and text from the video you’re watching. In a blog post on Thursday , YouTube says it’s also replacing the “thumbs-up” button with a “heart” icon, and is introducing a new option that lets you watch Shorts at 2x speed. As noted by YouTube, you can speed up a video by holding down the edge of your screen and lifting your finger when you want it to return to normal speed. You can lock the speed at 2x by pressing the player and swiping down. Anot
Context
The development sits in VINI’s Technology file for readers following technology, science, product policy, markets, infrastructure, and the public consequences of innovation. The original report is linked so readers can check the source account, follow later updates, and compare new coverage against the first published record. The source item is dated 2026-06-25T22:08:30+00:00.
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Source
Primary source: YouTube updates Shorts to make it even more like TikTok via The Verge. VINI cites and links the source; it does not reproduce the publisher’s full article text without rights clearance.
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- YouTube updates Shorts to make it even more like TikTokThe Verge - 2026-06-25T22:08:30+00:00
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