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YouTube makes it easier to comment, like and share videos on your phone

The YouTube app is getting a new look. But it's only for full-screen landscape mode.

Dan Avery Former Writer
Dan was a writer on CNET's How-To and Thought Leadership teams. His byline has appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, NBC News, Architectural Digest and elsewhere. He is a crossword junkie and is interested in the intersection of tech and marginalized communities.
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Dan Avery
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YouTube is changing its look on mobile for easier access to comment and share buttons.

Screenshot by Dan Avery/CNET

YouTube has given its mobile app's full-screen interface a revamp, making it a little easier to comment and share what you're watching by giving direct access to those buttons. 

The updates began rolling out on both Android and iOS devices this week, according to YouTube head of product communications Mariana de Felice. They include the ability to like, dislike, share and add videos to playlists and view comments, all while in full-screen mode.

Previously, you had to swipe up on the "more videos" section of the screen to reach those options.

Another feature of the new interface: Suggested videos are now tucked away in a collapsible box.

The dislike button no longer indicates how many people have voted down a given video, a change YouTube began testing last year

Earlier this month, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki said the public dislike counter was often abused, "which means it's not always an accurate way to select videos to watch."

While automatic, the changeover is being released gradually and isn't available to all users yet.  

In addition, the makeover is only for landscape mode. The user experience in portrait mode remains the same.