Are you tired of seeing end screens on YouTube videos that disrupt your viewing experience?

These end screens are those promotional thumbnails and product suggestions that appear in the final moments of a YouTube video, typically directing viewers to the creator’s other content or products. They can often feel intrusive, especially if you’re engrossed in the video content and want to focus on it without distractions.

Interestingly, a significant number of users genuinely dislike these end screens, prompting the development of various plug-ins and browser extensions aimed at disabling them entirely. Many viewers prefer a seamless viewing experience without interruptions, and these tools have gained popularity among those who want to take control over their YouTube experience.

In response to this feedback, YouTube is currently trialing a new feature that empowers viewers to hide end screens if they choose. This initiative reflects their acknowledgment of user preferences and aims to enhance overall satisfaction with the platform.

According to a statement from YouTube:

“We’re currently testing a new feature both on mobile and desktop that allows viewers to hide end screens. If you’re part of the experiment group, you’ll see a “Hide” button in the top-right corner of the video when end screens start to appear. If you tap it, the end screens will be hidden on a per-video basis, giving you more control over your viewing experience. If you want to make the end screens re-appear, just tap the “Show” button! This will also be located in the top right of the video.”

This means that while you won’t be able to completely remove end screens across all videos at once, you can deactivate them on an individual video basis, allowing for a more tailored viewing experience. This feature is particularly beneficial for viewers who often find these end screens to be a distraction.

Nevertheless, this move signifies YouTube’s recognition of user frustrations regarding these end screens, demonstrating that they are listening to the community’s feedback. Such an initiative indicates a willingness to adapt and enhance the platform based on user preferences.

So, do you find these end screens annoying enough to consider disabling them on every video you watch? It seems unlikely that most users would go to such lengths, but it will be fascinating to see how YouTube develops this feature further. This could potentially align with advancements in connected TV viewing, aiming to enhance the overall user experience across various devices.

Currently, this experiment is limited in scope, with YouTube evaluating the initial outcomes before deciding on any potential broader rollout. This cautious approach allows them to gauge viewer reactions and make informed decisions about future features.