YouTube Tests Central Google Lens Button on Paused Shorts
YouTube is testing a new placement for the Google Lens button on Shorts, positioning it centrally when videos pause. This change obstructs content and causes accidental taps, frustrating users. While the feature was added in May 2024 to enhance visual search, its new location is drawing criticism from Reddit users. The update remains in limited rollout, highlighting ongoing friction in Google's short-form video strategy.
Key points
- YouTube, the short-form video platform owned by Google, is testing a new interface element for its Shorts feature.
- The Google Lens button, originally added in May 2024 for visual search, is now appearing in the center of the screen when videos are paused.
- Users report that the central placement obstructs video content and leads to accidental taps when attempting to resume playback.
- Early adopters on Reddit have expressed frustration, noting that the change adds to the existing annoyance of repetitive Shorts content.
- The update is not yet widely available, indicating it is in a limited testing phase before a potential full rollout.
- This adjustment aims to increase visibility for the Lens tool but risks further alienating users who already find the Shorts experience intrusive.
YouTube is currently testing a significant change to its user interface for Shorts, placing the Google Lens button in the center of the screen when a video is paused. Previously, the Lens icon, which was introduced in May 2024 to allow users to search for objects within videos, was located in the top menu. The new central placement is designed to make the feature more prominent, but early feedback suggests it may be counterproductive.
Users have reported that the button obstructs the video content and frequently causes accidental taps when they attempt to resume playback. This friction is particularly noticeable given that YouTube Shorts has historically struggled to gain widespread user affection, often criticized for its repetitive feed and lower-quality content. The addition of a large, central button exacerbates these complaints, with several Reddit users noting that the change makes the viewing experience more frustrating rather than more convenient.
The update is not yet available to all users, suggesting that Google is still gathering data on its impact. While the Lens tool offers a useful alternative to Circle to Search for visual queries, its new location highlights the challenge of balancing feature visibility with user experience. As Google continues to refine its short-form video strategy, the reaction to this specific UI change will be a key indicator of how much interface clutter users are willing to tolerate.
Sources
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