YouTube is rolling out a major visual update to its app, introducing Reddit-style comment threading and custom like animations. The new features were confirmed in a YouTube Creator Insider video published last week and are currently expanding to Android and iOS devices.
The biggest change is the new comment threading system, which organizes replies in a more structured and conversational format. According to YouTube, this update is designed to make it easier for users to follow individual discussions within the comments section, something long overdue for one of the internet’s largest content platforms.
Each thread supports up to three levels of replies. Once that limit is reached, additional responses are displayed as “flattened” replies beneath the thread, preventing comment sections from becoming overly complex or visually cluttered.
At the moment, the threaded comment layout, which has been testing since July 2025, appears to be limited to mobile platforms, as I don’t have the change on desktop and my Chromecast with Google TV. YouTube says the feature is rolling out gradually, so broader availability across TV, web, and streaming platforms should follow in the coming weeks.
Alongside threaded comments, YouTube is also experimenting with custom like animations, a more expressive way to react to videos. Instead of the usual static thumbs-up, the animation now changes dynamically based on the type of content you’re watching. For example, music videos might trigger an animated musical note, while sports clips could feature a bouncing basketball effect.
Both the comment threading and the new like animations continue YouTube’s trend of modernizing interaction design across its platforms, bringing a more engaging and personalized touch to how users comment and react.
